f Framley,
when the bailiffs were in his house because he couldn't pay his
debts,--or rather, the debts of his friend for whom he had signed
bills. But in all these cases some good fortune had intervened,
and he had been saved from the terrible necessity of any ulterior
process. But now,--now he was being driven beyond himself, and all to
no purpose. If Mrs. Proudie would only wait three months the civil law
would do it all for him. But here was Mr. Chadwick in the room, and
he knew that it would be useless for him to attempt to talk to Mr
Chadwich about other matters, and so dismiss him. The wife of his
bosom would be down upon them before Chadwick could be out of the
room.

"H--m--ha. How d'ye do, Mr. Chadwick--won't you sit down?" Mr. Chadwick
thanked his lordship, and sat down. "It's very cold, isn't it, Mr
Chadwick?"

"A hard frost, my lord, but a beautiful day."

"Won't you come near the fire?" The bishop knew that Mrs. Proudie was
on the road, and had an eye to the proper strategical position of
his forces. Mrs. Proudie would certainly take up her position in a
certain chair from whence the light enabled her to rake her husband
thoroughly. What advantage she might have from this he could not
prevent;--but he could so place Mr. Chadwick, that the lawyer should
be more within reach of his eye than that of his wife. So the bishop
pointed to an arm-chair opposite to himself and near the fire, and Mr
Chadwick seated himself accordingly.

"This is a very sad affair about Mr. Crawley," said the bishop.

"Very said indeed," said the lawyer. "I never pitied a man so much in
my life, my lord."

This was not exactly the line which the bishop was desirous of
taking. "Of course he is to be pitied;--of course he is. But from all
I hear, Mr. Chadwick, I am afraid,--I am afraid we must not acquit
him."

"As to that, my lord, he has to stand his trial, of course."

"But, you see, Mr. Chadwick, regarding him as a beneficed
clergyman,--with a cure of souls,--the question is whether I should
be justified in leaving him where he is till his trial shall come
on."

"Of course your lordship knows best about that, but--"

"I know there is a difficulty. I know that. But I am inclined to
think that in the interests of the parish I am bound to issue a
commission of inquiry."

"I believe your lordship has attempted to silence him, and that he
has refused to comply."

"I thought it better for everybody's sake,--especially fo