his story. But
when, sitting alone at his desk, he read it again, filling his mind
as he went on with ideas which he would fain have expressed to his
old friend, were it not that he feared to indulge himself with too
many words, he began to tell himself that his story was anything but
well told. There was no expression there of the Hoggethan doctrine.
In answer to such a letter as that the dean might well say, "Think
again of it. Try yet to save yourself. Never mind the two farmers, or
Mr. Thumble, or the bishop. Stick to the ship while there is a plank
above the water." Whereas it had been his desire to use words that
should make the dean clearly understand that the thing was decided.
He had failed,--as he had failed in everything throughout his life;
but nevertheless the letter must go. Were he to begin again he would
not do it better. So he added to what he had written a copy of his
note to the bishop, and the letter was fastened and sent.

Mrs. Crawley might probably have been more instant in her efforts
to stop the letter, had she not felt that it would not decide
everything. In the first place it was not improbable that the letter
might not reach the dean till after his return home,--and Mrs. Crawley
had long since made up her mind that she would see the dean as soon
as possible after his return. She had heard from Lady Lufton that
it was not doubted in Barchester that he would be back at any rate
before the judges came into the city. And then, in the next place,
was it probable that the dean would act upon such a letter by filling
up the vacancy, even if he did get it? She trusted in the dean, and
knew that he would help them, if any help were possible. Should the
verdict go against her husband, then indeed it might be that no help
would be possible. In such case she thought that the bishop with his
commission might prevail. But she still believed that the verdict
would be favourable, if not with an assured belief, still with a hope
that was sufficient to stand in lieu of a belief. No single man,
let alone no twelve men, could think that her husband had intended
to appropriate that money dishonestly. That he had taken it
improperly,--without real possession,--she herself believed; but
he had not taken it as a thief, and could not merit a thief's
punishment.

After two days he got a reply from the bishop's chaplain, in which
the chaplain expressed the bishop's commendation of Mr. Crawley's
present conduct. "Mr.