’The rural dean in such a case has probably
been an old man, and not active,’ said the lawyer.
‘And Dr Tempest is a very old man,’ said
Mrs Proudie, ’and in such a matter not at all
trustworthy. He was one of the magistrates who
took bail.’
‘His lordship could hardly set him aside,’
said the lawyer. ’At any rate I would
not recommend him to try. I think you might suggest
a commission of five, and propose two of the number
yourself. I do not think that in such a case
Dr Tempest would raise any question.’
At last it was settled in this way. Mr Chadwick
was to prepare a letter to Dr Tempest, for the 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 it 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.
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 Eames 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
