unday morning last he performed the service in our
church. On the Sunday previous, one Mr. Thumble was here."

"We all know Thumble, too," said the dean; "or, at least, know
something about him."

"He has been a thorn in our sides," said Mrs. Crawley, unable to
restrain the expression of her dislike when Mr. Thumble's name was
mentioned.

"Nay, my dear, nay;--do not allow yourself the use of language so
strong against a brother. Our flesh at that time was somewhat prone
to fester, and little thorns made us very sore."

"He is a horrible man," said Jane, almost in a whisper; but the words
were distinctly audible by the dean.

"They need not come any more," said Arabin.

"That is where I fear we differ. I think they must come,--or some
others in their place,--till the bishop shall have expressed his
pleasure to the contrary. I have submitted myself to his lordship,
and, having done so, I feel that I cannot again go up into my pulpit
till he shall have authorised me to do so. For a time, Arabin, I
combatted the bishop, believing,--then as now,--that he put forth his
hand against me after a fashion which the law had not sanctioned. And
I made bold to stand in his presence and to tell him that I would not
obey him, except in things legal. But afterwards, when he proceeded
formally, through the action of a commission, I submitted myself. And
I regard myself still as being under submission."

It was impossible to shake him. Arabin remained there for more than
an hour, trying to pass on to another subject, but being constantly
brought back by Mr. Crawley himself to the fact of his own dependent
position. Nor would he condescend to supplicate the bishop. It was,
he surmised, the duty of Dr. Tempest, together with the other four
clergymen, to report to the bishop on the question of the alleged
theft; and then doubtless the bishop, when he had duly considered
the report, and,--as Mr. Crawley seemed to think was essentially
necessary,--had sufficiently recovered from the grief of his wife's
death, would, at his leisure, communicate his decision to Mr
Crawley. Nothing could be more complete than Mr. Crawley's humility in
reference to the bishop; and he never seemed to be tired of declaring
that he had submitted himself!

And then the dean, finding it to be vain to expect to be left alone
with Mr. Crawley for a moment,--in vain also to wait for a proper
opening for that which he had to say,--rushed violently at his other
s