ondence, and
which he dated for the following day:--

Bullhampton Vicarage, Oct. 23, 186--.

MY DEAR LORD BISHOP,

I return the Marquis's letter with many thanks. I can
assure you that I take in proper spirit your little hints
as to my pugnacity of disposition, and will endeavour
to profit by them. My wife tells me that I am given to
combativeness, and I have no doubt that she is right.

As to Lord Trowbridge, I can assure your lordship that I
will not bear any malice against him, or even think ill of
him because of his complaint. He and I probably differ in
opinion about almost everything, and he is one of those
who pity the condition of all who are so blinded as to
differ from him. The next time that I am thrown into his
company I shall act exactly as though no such letter had
been written, and as if no such meeting had taken place as
that which he describes.

I hope I may be allowed to assure your lordship, without
any reference to my motives for keeping it, that I shall
be very slow to give up a living in your lordship's
diocese. As your letter to me is unofficial,--and I thank
you heartily for sending it in such form,--I have ventured
to reply in the same strain.

I am, my dear Lord Bishop,
Your very faithful servant,

FRANCIS FENWICK.

"There," said he, as he folded it, and handed it to his wife, "I
shall never see the remainder of the series. I would give a shilling
to know how the bishop gets out of it in writing to the Marquis,
and half-a-crown to see the Marquis's rejoinder." The reader shall
be troubled with neither, as he would hardly price them so high as
did the Vicar. The bishop's letter really contained little beyond
an assurance on his part that Mr. Fenwick had not meant anything
wrong, and that the matter was one with which he, the bishop, had no
concern; all which was worded with most complete episcopal courtesy.
The rejoinder of the Marquis was long, elaborate, and very pompous.
He did not exactly scold the bishop, but he expressed very plainly
his opinion that the Church of England was going to the dogs, because
a bishop had not the power of utterly abolishing any clergyman who
might be guilty of an offence against so distinguished a person as
the Marquis of Trowbridge.

But what was to be done about Carry Brattle? Mrs. Fenwick, when
she had expressed her anger against the Marquis, was quite ready
to own t