Sports--Act II.
XLI. Mrs. Bold Confides Her Sorrow to Her Friend Miss Stanhope
XLII. Ullathorne Sports--Act III.
XLIII. Mr. and Mrs. Quiverful Are Made Happy. Mr. Slope Is
Encouraged by the Press
XLIV. Mrs. Bold at Home
XLV. The Stanhopes at Home
XLVI. Mr. Slope's Parting Interview with the Signora
XLVII. The Dean Elect
XLVIII. Miss Thorne Shows Her Talent at Match-making
XLIX. The Beelzebub Colt
L. The Archdeacon Is Satisfied with the State of Affairs
LI. Mr. Slope Bids Farewell to the Palace and Its Inhabitants
LII. The New Dean Takes Possession of the Deanery, and the New
Warden of the Hospital
LIII. Conclusion

CHAPTER I

Who Will Be the New Bishop?

In the latter days of July in the year 185--, a most important
question was for ten days hourly asked in the cathedral city of
Barchester, and answered every hour in various ways--Who was to be
the new bishop?

The death of old Dr. Grantly, who had for many years filled that
chair with meek authority, took place exactly as the ministry of
Lord ---- was going to give place to that of Lord ----. The illness
of the good old man was long and lingering, and it became at last
a matter of intense interest to those concerned whether the new
appointment should be made by a conservative or liberal government.

It was pretty well understood that the outgoing premier had made his
selection and that if the question rested with him, the mitre would
descend on the head of Archdeacon Grantly, the old bishop's son. The
archdeacon had long managed the affairs of the diocese, and for some
months previous to the demise of his father rumour had confidently
assigned to him the reversion of his father's honours.

Bishop Grantly died as he had lived, peaceably, slowly, without pain
and without excitement. The breath ebbed from him almost imperceptibly,
and for a month before his death it was a question whether he were
alive or dead.

A trying time was this for the archdeacon, for whom was designed the
reversion of his father's see by those who then had the giving away
of episcopal thrones. I would not be understood to say that the
prime minister had in so many words promised the bishopric to Dr.
Grantly. He was too discreet a man for that. There is a proverb
with reference to the killing of cats, and those who know anything
either of high or low government places will be well aware that a
promise may be