ds her. "It is the truth. You have brought on me such disgrace
that I cannot hold up my head. You have ruined me. I wish I were
dead; and it is all through you that I am driven to wish it."

Of all that she had suffered in her life this was the worst. She
clasped both her hands to her side as she listened to him, and for
a minute or two she made no reply. When he ceased from speaking he
again put his elbows in his knees and again buried his face in his
hands. What had she better do, or how was it expedient that she
should treat him? At this crisis the whole thing was so important to
her that she would have postponed her own ambition and would have
curbed her temper had she thought that by doing so she might in any
degree have benefited him. But it seemed to her that she could not
rouse him by conciliation. Neither could she leave him as he was.
Something must be done. "Bishop," she said, "the words that you speak
are very sinful, very sinful."

"You have made them sinful," he said.

"I will not hear that from you. I will not indeed. I have endeavoured
to do my duty by you, and I do not deserve it. I am endeavouring to
do my duty now, and you must know that it would ill become me to
remain quiescent while you are in such a state. The world around you
is observing you, and knows that you are not doing your work. All I
want of you is that you should arouse yourself, and go to your work."

"I could do my work very well," he said, "if you were not here."

"I suppose, then, you wish that I were dead?" said Mrs. Proudie. To
this he made no reply, nor did he stir himself. How could flesh and
blood bear this,--female flesh and blood,--Mrs. Proudie's flesh and
blood? Now, at last, her temper once more got the better of her
judgment, probably much to her immediate satisfaction, and she spoke
out. "I'll tell you what it is, my lord; if you are imbecile, I
must be active. It is very sad that I should have to assume your
authority--"

"I will not allow you to assume my authority."

"I must do so, or else must obtain a medical certificate as to your
incapacity, and beg that some neighbouring bishop may administer the
diocese. Things shall not go on as they are now. I, at any rate,
will do my duty. I shall tell Mr. Thumble that he must go over to
Hogglestock, and arrange for the duties of the parish."

"I desire that you will do no such thing," said the bishop, now again
looking up at her.

"You may be sure that I shall," sa