time, if you like. There. Now you may begin."

Mr. Crawley did eat the biscuit and did drink the wine, and as he did
so, he acknowledged to himself that Dr. Tempest was right. He felt
that the wine had made him stronger to speak. "I hardly know why
you have preferred to-day to next Monday," said Dr. Tempest; "but if
anything can be done by your presence here to-day, your time shall
not be thrown away."

"I have preferred to-day to Monday," said Crawley, "partly because I
would sooner talk to one man than to five."

"There is something in that, certainly," said Dr. Tempest.

"And as I have made up my mind as to the course of action which it is
my duty to take in the matter to which your letter of the ninth of
this month refers, there can be no reason why I should postpone the
declaration of my purpose. Dr. Tempest, I have determined to resign
my preferment at Hogglestock, and shall write to-day to the Dean of
Barchester, who is the patron, acquainting him of my purpose."

"You mean in the event--in the event--"

"I mean, sir, to do this without reference to any event that is
future. The bishop, Dr. Tempest, when I shall have been proved to be
a thief, shall have no trouble either in causing my suspension or
my deprivation. The name and fame of a parish clergyman should be
unstained. Mine have become foul with infamy. I will not wait to be
deprived by any court, by any bishop, or by any commission. I will
bow my head to that public opinion which has reached me, and I will
deprive myself."

He had got up from his chair, and was standing as he pronounced the
final sentence against himself. Dr. Tempest still remained seated in
his chair, looking at him, and for a few moments there was silence.
"You must not do that, Mr. Crawley," said Dr. Tempest at last.

"But I shall do it."

"Then the dean must not take your resignation. Speaking to you
frankly, I tell you that there is no prevailing opinion as to the
verdict which the jury may give."

"My decision has nothing to do with the jury's verdict. My
decision--"

"Stop a moment, Mr. Crawley. It is possible that you might say that
which should not be said."

"There is nothing to be said,--nothing which I could say, which I
would not say at the town cross if it were possible. As to this
money, I do not know whether I stole it or whether I did not."

"That is just what I have thought."

"It is so."

"Then you did not steal it. There can be no doubt about that."