should be
present with the object of enforcing his illegal command." Mr. Crawley
spoke these words without hesitation, even with eloquence, standing
upright, and with something of a noble anger gleaming over his poor
wan face; and, I think, that while speaking them, he was happier than
he had been for many a long day.

Mr. Thumble listened to him patiently, standing with one foot a little
in advance of the other, with one hand folded over the other, with
his head rather on one side, and with his eyes fixed on the corner
where the wall and ceiling joined each other. He had been told to be
firm, and he was considering how he might best display firmness. He
thought that he remembered some story of two parsons fighting for one
pulpit, and he thought also that he should not himself like to incur
the scandal of such a proceeding in the diocese. As to the law in
the matter he knew nothing himself; but he presumed that a bishop
would probably know the law better than a perpetual curate. That Mrs
Proudie was intemperate and imperious, he was aware. Had the message
come from her alone, he might have felt that even for her sake he had
better give way. But as the despotic arrogance of the lady had been
in this case backed by the timid presence and hesitating words of
her lord, Mr. Thumble thought that he must have the law on his side.
"I think you will find, Mr. Crawley," said he, "that the bishop's
inhibition is strictly legal." He had picked up the powerful word
from Mrs. Proudie and flattered himself that it might be of use to him
in carrying his purpose.

"It is illegal," said Mr. Crawley, speaking somewhat louder than
before, "and will be absolutely futile. As you pleaded to me that you
yourself and your own personal convenience were concerned in this
matter, I have made known my intentions to you, which otherwise I
should have made known only to the bishop. If you please, we will
discuss the subject no further."

"Am I to understand, Mr. Crawley, that you refuse to obey the bishop?"

"The bishop has written to me, sir; and I will make known my
intention to the bishop by written answer. As you have been the
bearer of the bishop's letter to me, I am bound to ask you whether
I shall be indebted to you for carrying back my reply, or whether I
shall send it by course of post?" Mr. Thumble considered for a moment,
and then made up his mind that he had better wait, and carry back the
epistle. This was Friday, and the letter co