God forbid that it should be a common
conversation. I am speaking now very seriously with reference to the
interests of the Church, which I think will be endangered by having
among her active servants a man who has been guilty of so base a
crime as theft. Think of it, Dr. Tempest. Theft! Stealing money!
Appropriating to his own use a cheque for twenty pounds which did
not belong to him! And then telling such terrible falsehoods about
it! Can anything be worse, anything more scandalous, anything more
dangerous? Indeed, Dr. Tempest, I do not regard this as any common
conversation." The whole of this speech was not made at once,
fluently, or without a break. From stop to stop Mrs. Proudie paused,
waiting for her companion's words; but as he would not speak she was
obliged to continue. "I am sure that you cannot but agree with me, Dr
Tempest?" she said.

"I am quite sure that I shall not discuss it with you," said the
doctor, very brusquely.

"And why not? Are you not here to discuss it?"

"Not with you, Mrs. Proudie. You must excuse me for saying so, but I
am not here to discuss any such matter with you. Were I to do so, I
should be guilty of a very great impropriety."

"All these things are in common between me and the bishop," said Mrs
Proudie, with an air that was intended to be dignified, but which
nevertheless displayed her rising anger.

"As to that I know nothing, but they cannot be in common between you
and me. It grieves me much that I should have to speak to you in such
a strain, but my duty allows me no alternative. I think, if you will
permit me, I will take a turn round the garden before I keep my
appointment with his lordship." And so saying he escaped from the
lady without hearing her further remonstrance.

It still wanted an hour to the time named by the bishop, and Dr
Tempest used it in preparing for his withdrawal from the palace as
soon as his interview with the bishop should be over. After what
had passed he thought he would be justified in taking his departure
without bidding adieu formally to Mrs. Proudie. He would say a word
or two, explaining his haste, to the bishop; and then, if he could
get out of the house at once, it might be that he would never see
Mrs. Proudie again. He was rather proud of his success in their late
battle, but he felt that, having been so completely victorious, it
would be foolish in him to risk his laurels in the chance of another
encounter. He would say not a word