Thumble.' To all of which the bishop made no reply, but simply nodded
his head and patted his apron. He knew that he could not do exactly what
his wife required of him; but if it should so turn out that poor Crawley
was found to be guilty, then the matter would be comparatively easy.

'It should be an example to us, that we should look to our own steps, my
dear,' said the bishop.

'That's all very well,' said Mrs Proudie, 'but it has become your duty,
and mine too, to look upon the steps of other people; and that duty we
must do.'

'Of course, my dear, of course.' That was the tone in which the
question of Mr Crawley's alleged guilt was discussed at the palace.

We have already heard what was said on the subject at the house of
Archdeacon Grantly. As the days passed by, and as other tidings came in,
confirmatory of those which had before reached him, the archdeacon felt
himself unable not to believe in the man's guilt. And the fear which he
entertained as to his son's intended marriage with Grace Crawley, tended
to increase the strength of that belief. Dr Grantly had been a very
successful man in the world, and on all ordinary occasions had been able
to show that bold front with which success endows a man. But he still
had his moments of weakness, and feared greatly lest anything of
misfortune should touch him and mar the comely roundness of his
prosperity. He was very wealthy. The wife of his bosom had been to him
all that a wife should be. His reputation in the clerical world stood
very high. His two sons had hitherto done well in the world, not only as
regarded their happiness, but as to marriage also, and as to social
standing. But how great would be the fall if his son should at last