JOSIAH CRAWLEY.

When he had finished writing his letter he read it over slowly, and
then handed it to Mr. Thumble. The act of writing, and the current of
the thoughts through his brain, and the feeling that in every word
written he was getting the better of the bishop,--all this joined to
a certain manly delight in warfare against authority, lighted up the
man's face and gave to his eyes an expression which had been long
wanting to them. His wife at that moment came into the room and he
looked at her with an air of triumph as he handed the letter to Mr
Thumble. "If you will give that to his lordship with an assurance
of my duty to his lordship in all things proper, I will thank you
kindly, craving your pardon for the great delay to which you have
been subjected."

"As to the delay, that is nothing," said Mr. Thumble.

"It has been much; but you as a clergyman will feel that it has been
incumbent upon me to speak my mind fully."

"Oh, yes; of course." Mr. Crawley was standing up, as also was Mrs
Crawley. It was evident to Mr. Thumble that they both expected that
he should go. But he had been specially enjoined to be firm, and he
doubted whether hitherto he had been firm enough. As far as this
morning's work had as yet gone, it seemed to him that Mr. Crawley had
had the play to himself, and that he, Mr. Thumble, had not had his
innings. He, from the palace, had been, as it were, cowed by this
man, who had been forced to plead his own poverty. It was certainly
incumbent upon him, before he went, to speak up, not only for the
bishop, but for himself also. "Mr. Crawley," he said, "hitherto I have
listened to you patiently."

"Nay," said Mr. Crawley, smiling, "you have indeed been patient, and I
thank you; but my words have been written, not spoken."

"You have told me that you intend to disobey the bishop's
inhibition."

"I have told the bishop so, certainly."

"May I ask you now to listen to me for a few minutes?"

Mr. Crawley, still smiling, still having in his eyes the unwonted
triumph which had lighted them up, paused a moment, and then answered
him. "Reverend sir, you must excuse me if I say no,--not on this
subject."

"You will not let me speak?"

"No; not on this matter, which is very private to me. What should
you think if I went into your house and inquired of you as to those
things which were particularly near to you?"

"But the bishop sent me."

"Though ten bishops had sent me,--a council o