the hospital. In his letter
to Eleanor he had plainly declared that Mr. Harding was to have the
appointment. It would be very difficult to explain this away, and
were he to write another letter to Eleanor, telling the truth and
throwing the blame on the bishop, it would naturally injure him in
her estimation. He determined therefore to let that matter disclose
itself as it would, and to lose no time in throwing himself at her
feet.

Then he had to solicit the assistance of Sir Nicholas Fitzwhiggin and
Mr. Towers, and he went directly from the bishop's presence to
compose his letters to those gentlemen. As Mr. Slope was esteemed an
adept at letter writing, they shall be given in full.

(Private) Palace, Barchester, Sept. 185--

MY DEAR SIR NICHOLAS,

I hope that the intercourse which has been between us will
preclude you from regarding my present application as an
intrusion. You cannot, I imagine, have yet heard that poor
old Dr. Trefoil has been seized with apoplexy. It is a
subject of profound grief to everyone in Barchester, for
he has always been an excellent man--excellent as a man
and as a clergyman. He is, however, full of years, and
his life could not under any circumstances have been much
longer spared. You may probably have known him.

There is, it appears, no probable chance of his recovery.
Sir Omicron Pie is, I believe, at present with him. At
any rate the medical men here have declared that one or
two days more must limit the tether of his mortal coil.
I sincerely trust that his soul may wing its flight to
that haven where it may forever be at rest and forever be
happy.

The bishop has been speaking to me about the preferment,
and he is anxious that it should be conferred on me. I
confess that I can hardly venture, at my age, to look
for such advancement, but I am so far encouraged by his
lordship that I believe I shall be induced to do so.
His lordship goes to ---- to-morrow and is intent on
mentioning the subject to the archbishop.

I know well how deservedly great is your weight with
the present government. In any matter touching church
preferment you would of course be listened to. Now that
the matter has been put into my head, I am of course
anxious to be successful. If you can assist me by your
good word, you will confer on me one additional favour.

I had better add, that Lord