made in a newspaper which you knew to be scurrilous, as the ground for a
solemn admonition to a clergyman of my age and standing? You wrote to me,
as is evident from the tone and context of your lordship's letter, because
you found that the metropolitan press had denounced my conduct. And this
was the proof you sent to me that such had been the case!

"It occurred to me at once that, as the paper in question had vilely
slandered me, I could redress myself by an action of law, and that I could
prove the magnitude of the evil done me by showing the grave importance
which your lordship had attached to the words. In this way I could have
forced an answer from your lordship to the questions which I now put to
you. Your lordship would have been required to state on oath whether you
believed those insinuations or not; and, if so, why you believed them. On
grounds which I have already explained I have thought it improper to do
so. Having abandoned that course, I am unable to force any answer from
your lordship. But I appeal to your sense of honour and justice whether
you should not answer my questions;--and I also ask from your lordship an
ample apology, if, on consideration, you shall feel that you have done me
an undeserved injury.--I have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's
most obedient, very humble servant,

"JEFFREY WORTLE."

He was rather proud of this letter as he read it to himself, and yet a
little afraid of it, feeling that he had addressed his Bishop in very
strong language. It might be that the Bishop should send him no answer at
all, or some curt note from his chaplain in which it would be explained
that the tone of the letter precluded the Bishop from answering it. What
should he do then? It was not, he thought, improbable, that the curt note
from the chaplain would be all that he might receive. He let the letter
lie by him for four-and-twenty hours after he had composed it, and then
determined that not to send it would be cowardly. He sent it, and then
occupied himself for an hour or two in meditating the sort of letter he
would write to the Bishop when that curt reply had come from the chaplain.

That further letter must be one which must make all amicable intercourse
between him and the Bishop impossible. And it must be so written as to be
fit to meet the public eye if he should be ever driven by the Bishop's
conduct to put it in print. A great wrong had been done him;--a great
wrong!