hop gazed at him speechlessly, but
felt quite sure that it was not in his power to rebuke his fellow
clergyman. "Now, my lord," continued the Dean, "you have heard the
story. I tell it to you, and I shall tell it to no one else. I tell it
you, not because you are the bishop of this diocese, and I, the Dean of
this Cathedral,--and as such I am in such a matter by no means subject
to your lordship's authority;--but, because of all my neighbours you
are the most respected, and I would wish that the truth should be known
to some one." Then he ceased, neither enjoining secrecy, or expressing
any wish that the story should be correctly told to others.

"He must be a cruel man," said the Bishop.

"No, my lord;--he is no man at all. He is a degraded animal
unfortunately placed almost above penalties by his wealth and rank. I
am glad to think that he has at last encountered some little
punishment, though I could wish that the use of the scourge had fallen
into other hands than mine." Then he took his leave, and as he went the
Bishop was very gracious to him.

"I am almost inclined to think he was justified," said the Bishop to
Mr. Groschut.

"Justified, my lord! The Dean;--in striking the Marquis of Brotherton,
and then falling into the hands of the police!"

"I know nothing about the police."

"May I ask your lordship what was his account of the transaction."

"I cannot give it you. I simply say that I think that he was
justified." Then Mr. Groschut expressed his opinion to Mrs. Groschut
that the Bishop was getting old,--very old indeed. Mr. Groschut was
almost afraid that no good could be done in the diocese till a firmer
and a younger man sat in the seat.

The main facts of the story came to the knowledge of the canons, though
I doubt whether the Bishop ever told all that was told to him. Some few
hard words were said. Canon Pountner made a remark in the Dean's
hearing about the Church militant, which drew forth from the Dean an
allusion to the rites of Bacchus, which the canon only half understood.
And Dr. Holdenough asked the Dean whether there had not been some
little trouble between him and the Marquis. "I am afraid you have been
a little hard upon my noble brother-in-law," said the Doctor. To which
the Dean replied that the Doctor should teach his noble brother-in-law
better manners. But, upon the whole, the Dean held his own well, and
was as carefully waited upon to his seat by the vergers as though there
had