owerby, as they all clustered round the drawing-room fire after
church. "That subject may be regarded as having been killed and
buried; eh, Harold?"

"Certainly murdered last night," said Mrs. Harold, "by that awful
woman, Mrs. Proudie."

"I wonder you did not make a dash at her and pull her out of the
arm-chair," said Miss Dunstable. "I was expecting it, and thought
that I should come to grief in the scrimmage."

"I never knew a lady do such a brazen-faced thing before," said Miss
Kerrigy, a travelling friend of Miss Dunstable's.

"Nor I--never; in a public place, too," said Dr. Easyman, a medical
gentleman, who also often accompanied her.

"As for brass," said Mr. Supplehouse, "she would never stop at
anything for want of that. It is well that she has enough, for the
poor bishop is but badly provided."

"I hardly heard what it was she did say," said Harold Smith; "so I
could not answer her, you know. Something about Sundays, I believe."

"She hoped you would not put the South Sea islanders up to Sabbath
travelling," said Mr. Sowerby.

"And specially begged that you would establish Lord's-day schools,"
said Mrs. Smith; and then they all went to work and picked Mrs.
Proudie to pieces from the top ribbon of her cap down to the sole of
her slipper.

"And then she expects the poor parsons to fall in love with her
daughters. That's the hardest thing of all," said Miss Dunstable.
But, on the whole, when our vicar went to bed he did not feel that he
had spent a profitable Sunday.

CHAPTER VIII

Gatherum Castle

On the Tuesday morning Mark did receive his wife's letter, and the
ten-pound note, whereby a strong proof was given of the honesty of
the post-office people in Barsetshire. That letter, written as it
had been in a hurry, while Robin post-boy was drinking a single mug
of beer,--well, what of it if it was half filled a second time?--was
nevertheless eloquent of his wife's love and of her great triumph.
"I have only half a moment to send you the money," she said, "for
the postman is here waiting. When I see you I'll explain why I am so
hurried. Let me know that you get it safe. It is all right now, and
Lady Lufton was here not a minute ago. She did not quite like it;
about Gatherum Castle, I mean; but you'll hear nothing about it. Only
remember that _you must dine_ at Framley Court on Wednesday week. _I
have promised for you._ You will; won't you, dearest? I shall come
and fetch you away if you at