bishop's signature, in which the
doctor should be requested, as the rural dean to whom Mr. Crawley was
subject, to hold a commission of five to inquire into Mr. Crawley's
conduct. The letter was to explain to Dr. Tempest that the bishop,
moved by his solicitude for the souls of the people of Hogglestock,
had endeavoured, "in a friendly way", to induce Mr. Crawley to desist
from his ministrations; but that having failed through Mr. Crawley's
obstinacy, he had no alternative but to proceed in this way. "You had
better say that his lordship, as bishop of the diocese, can take no
heed of the coming trial," said Mrs. Proudie. "I think his lordship
had better say nothing at all about the trial," said Mr. Chadwick. "I
think that will be best," said the bishop.

"But if they report against him," said Mr. Chadwick, "you can only
then proceed in the ecclesiastical court,--at your own expense."

"He'll hardly be so obstinate as that," said the bishop.

"I'm afraid you don't know him, my lord," said the lawyer. The
bishop, thinking of the scene which had taken place in that very room
only yesterday, felt that he did know Mr. Crawley, and felt also that
the hope which he had just expressed was one in which he himself put
no trust. But something might turn up; and it was devoutly to be
hoped that Dr. Tempest would take a long time over his inquiry. The
assizes might come on as soon as it was terminated, or very shortly
afterwards; and then everything might be well. "You won't find Dr
Tempest very ready at it," said Mr. Chadwick. The bishop in his heart
was comforted by the words. "But he must be made to be ready to do
his duty," said Mrs. Proudie, imperiously. Mr. Chadwick shrugged his
shoulders, then got up, spoke his farewell little speeches, and left
the palace.

CHAPTER XXXV

Lily Dale Writes Two Words in Her Book

John Eames saw nothing more of Lily Dale till he packed up his
portmanteau, left his mother's house, and went to stay for a few days
with his old friend Lady Julia; and this did not happen till he had
been above a week at Guestwick. Mrs. Dale repeatedly said that it was
odd that Johnny did not come to see them; and Grace, speaking of him
to Lily, asked why he did not come. Lily, in her funny way, declared
that he would come soon enough. But even while she was joking there
was something of half-expressed consciousness in her words,--as
though she felt it to be foolish to speak of his coming as she might