'And why not? The house will be quite full, you know! And I dare
say that the Arabins will be there.'

'I think not; Mrs Arabin may get on well with Mrs Harold Smith,
though I doubt that; but I'm sure she's not fond of Mr Smith's
brother. I don't think she would stay at Chaldicotes.'

'And the bishop will probably be there for a day or two.'

'That is much more likely, Mark. If the pleasure of meeting Mrs
Proudie is taking you to Chaldicotes, I have not a word more to
say.'

'I am not a bit more fond of Mrs Proudie than you are, Fanny,' said
the vicar, with something like vexation in the tone of his voice,
for he thought that his wife was hard upon him. 'But it is
generally thought that a parish clergyman does well to meet his
bishop now and then. And as I was invited there, especially to
preach while all these people are staying at the place, I could not
well refuse.' And then he got up, and taking his candlestick,
escaped to his dressing-room.

'But what am I to say to Lady Lufton?' his wife said to him in the
course of the evening.

'Just write her a note, and tell her that you find I had promised
to preach at Chaldicotes next Sunday. You'll go of course?'

'Yes; but I know she'll be annoyed. You were away the last time