hen the major arrived--"I regret to say, sir that I
cannot assist you by supplying any other steed." Then the major had
knocked, and Mr. Crawley had at once opened the door.

"You probably do not remember me, Mr. Crawley?" said the major. "I am
Major Grantly." Mrs. Crawley, who heard these words inside the room,
sprang up from her chair, and could hardly resist the temptation to
rush into the passage. She too had barely seen Major Grantly; and
now the only bright gleam which appeared on her horizon depended on
his constancy under circumstances which would have justified his
inconstancy. But had he meant to be inconstant, surely he would never
have come to Hogglestock!

"I remember you well, sir," said Mr. Crawley. "I am under no common
obligation to you. You are at present one of my bailsmen."

"There's nothing in that," said the major.

Mr. Thumble, who had caught the name of Grantly, took off his hat,
which he had put on his head. He had not been particular in keeping
off his hat before Mr. Crawley. But he knew very well that Archdeacon
Grantly was a big man in the diocese; and though the Grantlys and the
Proudies were opposed to each other, still it might be well to take
off his hat before any one who had to do with the big ones of the
diocese. "I hope your respected father is well, sir?" said Mr
Thumble.

"Pretty well, I thank you." The major stood close up against the wall
of the passage, so as to allow room for Mr. Thumble to pass out. His
business was one on which he could hardly begin to speak until the
visitor had gone. Mr. Crawley was standing with the door wide open
in his hand. He also was anxious to be rid of Mr. Thumble,--and was
perhaps not so solicitous as a brother clergyman should have been
touching the future fate of Mr. Thumble in the matter of the bishop's
old cob.

"Really, I don't know what to do as to getting upon him again," said
Mr. Thumble.

"If you will allow him to progress slowly," said Mr. Crawley, "he will
probably travel with the greater safety."

"I don't know what you call slow, Mr. Crawley. I was ever so much over
two hours coming here from Barchester. He stumbled almost at every
step."

"Did he fall while you were on him?" asked the major.

"Indeed he did, sir. You never saw such a thing, Major Grantly. Look
here." Then Mr. Thumble, turning round, showed that the rear portion
of his clothes had not escaped without injury.

"It was well that he was not going fast, or yo