make Mrs Proudie believe that Mr Crawley could be guilty of any crime.
And as Mrs Proudie believed, so did the bishop believe. 'It is a
terrible disgrace to the diocese,' said the bishop, shaking his head,
and patting his apron as he sat by his study fire.

'Fiddlestick!' said Mrs Proudie.

'But, my dear--a beneficed clergyman.'

'You must get rid of him; that's all. You must be firm whether he be
acquitted or convicted.'

'But if he's acquitted, I cannot get rid of him, my dear.'

'Yes, you can, if you are firm. And you must be firm. Is it not true
that he has been disgracefully involved in debt ever since he has been
there; that you have been pestered by letters from unfortunate tradesmen
who cannot get their money from him?'

'That is true, my dear, certainly.'

'And is that kind of thing to go on? He cannot come to the palace as
all clergymen should do, because he has got no clothes to come in. I saw
him once about the lanes, and I never set my eyes on such an object in
all my life! I would not believe that the man was a clergyman till John
told me. He is a disgrace to the diocese, and he must be got rid of. I
feel sure of his guilt, and I hope he will be convicted. One is bound to
hope that a guilty man should be convicted. But if he escapes
conviction, you must sequestrate the living because of the debts. The
income is enough to get an excellent curate. It would just do for