he ladies were gone the archdeacon would not leave him
alone in his silence.

As soon as the door was closed, the first subject mooted was that of
the Plumstead fox, which had been so basely murdered on Mr. Thorne's
ground. Mr. Thorne had confessed the iniquity, had dismissed the
murderous gamekeeper, and all was serene. But the greater on that
account was the feasibility of discussing the question, and the
archdeacon had a good deal to say about it. Then Mr. Thorne turned to
the new vicar, and asked him whether foxes abounded in Hogglestock.
Had he been asked as to the rats or moles, he would have known more
about it.

"Indeed, sir, I know not whether or no there be any foxes in the
parish of Hogglestock. I do not remember me that I ever saw one. It
is an animal whose habits I have not watched."

"There is an earth at Hoggle Bushes," said the major; "and I never
knew it without a litter."

"I think I know the domestic whereabouts of every fox in Plumstead,"
said the archdeacon, with an ill-natured intention of astonishing Mr
Crawley.

"Of foxes with two legs our friend is speaking, without doubt," said
the vicar of St Ewold's, with an attempt at grim pleasantry.

"Of them we have none at Plumstead. No,--I was speaking of the dear
old fellow with the brush. Pass the bottle, Mr. Crawley. Won't you
fill your glass?" Mr. Crawley passed the bottle, but would not fill
his glass. Then the dean, looking up slyly, saw the vexation written
in the archdeacon's face. The parson whom the archdeacon feared most
of all parsons was the parson who wouldn't fill his glass.

Then the subject was changed. "I'm told that the bishop has at last
made his reappearance on his throne," said the archdeacon.

"He was in the cathedral last Sunday," said the dean.

"Does he ever mean to preach again?"

"He never did preach very often," said the dean.

"A great deal too often, from all people say," said the archdeacon.
"I never heard him myself, and never shall, I daresay. You have heard
him, Mr. Crawley?"

"I have never had that good fortune, Mr. Archdeacon. But living as I
shall now do, so near to the city, I may perhaps be enabled to attend
the cathedral service on some holy-day of the Church, which may not
require prayers in my own rural parish. I think that the clergy of
the diocese should be acquainted with the opinions, and with the
voice, and with the very manner and words of their bishop. As things
are now done, this is not