sh that the bishop should entangle himself. He, therefore, replied
very meekly, "It has been most unfortunate, my lord."

"I have felt for Mrs. Crawley very deeply," said Mrs. Proudie. Mr
Crawley had now made up his mind that as long as it was possible he
would ignore the presence of Mrs. Proudie altogether; and, therefore,
he made no sign that he had heard the latter remark.

"It has been most unfortunate," continued the bishop. "I have never
before had a clergyman in my diocese placed in so distressing a
position."

"That is a matter of opinion, my lord," said Mr. Crawley, who at that
moment thought of a crisis which had come in the life of another
clergyman in the diocese of Barchester, with the circumstances of
which he had by chance been made acquainted.

"Exactly," said the bishop. "And I am expressing my opinion." Mr
Crawley, who understood fighting, did not think that the time had
yet come for striking a blow, so he simply bowed again. "A most
unfortunate position, Mr. Crawley," continued the bishop. "Far be it
from me to express an opinion on the matter, which will have to come
before a jury of your countrymen. It is enough for me to know that
the magistrates assembled at Silverbridge, gentlemen to whom no doubt
you must be known, as most of them live in your neighbourhood, have
heard evidence upon the subject--"

"Most convincing evidence," said Mrs. Proudie, interrupting her
husband. Mr. Crawley's black brow became a little blacker as he heard
the word, but still he ignored the woman. He not only did not speak,
but did not turn his eye upon her.

"They have heard the evidence on the subject," continued the bishop,
"and they have thought it proper to refer the decision as to your
innocence or your guilt to a jury of your countrymen."

"And they were right," said Mr. Crawley.

"Very possibly. I don't deny it. Probably," said the bishop, whose
eloquence was somewhat disturbed by Mr. Crawley's ready acquiescence.

"Of course they were right," said Mrs. Proudie.

"At any rate it is so," said the bishop. "You are in the position of
a man amenable to the criminal laws of the land."

"There are no criminal laws, my lord," said Mr. Crawley; "but to such
laws as there are we are all amenable,--your lordship and I alike."

"But you are so in a very particular way. I do not wish to remind
you what might be your condition now, but for the interposition of
private friends."

"I should be in the condition of