The Bishop and his family have been avoiding Barchester since Mr. Slope's sermon. While Mrs. Proudie wholeheartedly agrees with Mr. Slope, the Bishop wants to avoid confronting either her or the church leadership in Barchester about it. In their absence, Mr. Slope is working hard to establish himself in the community by organizing support for Sabbath schools and other reforms.
The Proudies prepare a large party to celebrate their return from London. All of the local clergy are invited. At first the anti-Slope faction wants to boycott the party but eventually agree to attend out of respect for the office of the Bishop. The Stanhopes, newly arrived in England, will also be attending, having made special arrangements for the signora. Dr. Stanhope is worried that the signora will flirt inappropriately with the men at.....
