arge,
that before hiring a gig from the Dragon of Wantly, he should be
glad to know,--looking as he always did to "Mary Anne and the
children",--whence the price of the gig was to be returned to him.
Mrs. Proudie had frowned at him,--not with all the austerity of
frowning which she could use when really angered, but simply with a
frown which gave her some little time for thought, and would enable
her to continue to rebuke if, after thinking, she should find
that rebuke was needed. But mature consideration showed her that
Mr. Thumble's caution was not without reason. Were the bishop
energetic,--or even the bishop's managing chaplain as energetic as he
should be, Mr. Crawley might, as Mrs. Proudie felt assured, be made in
some way to pay for a conveyance for Mr. Thumble. But the energy was
lacking, and the price of the gig, if the gig were ordered, would
certainly fall ultimately on the bishop's shoulders. This was very
sad. Mrs. Proudie had often grieved over the necessary expenditure of
episcopal surveillance, and had been heard to declare her opinion
that a liberal allowance for secret service should be made in every
diocese. What better could the Ecclesiastical Commissioners do with
all those rich revenues which they had stolen from the bishops? But
there was no such liberal allowance at present, and, therefore, Mrs
Proudie, after having frowned at Mr. Thumble for some seconds, desired
him to take the grey cob. Now, Mr. Thumble had ridden the grey cob
before, and would much have preferred a gig. But even the grey cob
was better than a gig at his own cost.

"Mamma, there's a man at the gate wanting to come in," said Jane. "I
think he's a clergyman."

Mr. Crawley immediately raised his head, though he did not at once
leave his chair. Mrs. Crawley went to the window, and recognised the
reverend visitor. "My dear, it is that Mr. Thumble, who is so much
with the bishop."

"What does Mr. Thumble want with me."

"Nay, my dear; he will tell you that himself." But Mrs. Crawley,
though she answered him with a voice intended to be cheerful, greatly
feared the coming of this messenger from the palace. She perceived
at once that the bishop was about to interfere with her husband in
consequence of that which the magistrates had done yesterday.

"Mamma, he doesn't know what to do with his pony," said Jane.

"Tell him to tie it to the rail," said Mr. Crawley. "If he has
expected to find menials here, as he has them at the pal