"Ah;--there's the difficulty. His wife wouldn't do it, I suppose? She
couldn't do him a better turn."

"He would never forgive her. And she would never consent to act
against him."

"Could you interfere?"

"If necessary, I will;--but I hardly know him well enough."

"Has he no father or mother, or uncles or aunts? He must have
somebody belonging to him," said Mr. Walker.

Then it occurred to Mr. Robarts that Dean Arabin would be the proper
person to interfere. Dean Arabin and Mr. Crawley had been intimate
friends in early life, and Dean Arabin knew more of him than did
any man, at least in those parts. All this Mr. Robarts explained to
Mr. Walker, and Mr. Walker agreed with him that the services of Dean
Arabin should if possible be obtained. Mr. Robarts would at once write
to Dean Arabin and explain at length all the circumstances of the
case. "The worst of it is, he will hardly be home in time," said Mr
Walker. "Perhaps he would come a little sooner if you were to press
it?"

"But we could act in his name in his absence, I suppose?--of course
with his authority?"

"I wish he could be here a month before the assizes, Mr. Robarts. It
would be better."

"And in the meantime shall I say anything to Mr. Crawley, myself,
about employing a lawyer?"

"I think I would. If he turns upon you, as like enough he may, and
abuses you, that will help us in one way. If he should consent, and
perhaps he may, that would help us in the other way. I'm told he's
been over and upset the whole coach at the palace."

"I shouldn't think the bishop got much out of him," said the parson.

"I don't like Crawley the less for speaking his mind free to the
bishop," said the lawyer, laughing. "And he'll speak it free to you
too, Mr. Robarts."

"He won't break any of my bones. Tell me, Mr. Walker, what lawyer
shall I name to him?"

"You can't have a better man than Mr. Mason, up the street there."

"Winthrop proposed Borleys at Barchester."

"No, no, no. Borleys and Bonstock are capital people to push a fellow
through on a charge of horse-stealing, or to squeeze a man for a
little money; but they are not the people for Mr. Crawley in such a
case as this. Mason is a better man; and then Mason and I know each
other." In saying which Mr. Walker winked.

There was then a discussion between them whether Mr. Robarts should go
at once to Mr. Mason; but it was decided at last that he should see Mr
Crawley and also write to the dean be