of the supporters of ministry--But--to use their own elegant, phrase--the
hands of government were tied.

It seems that in consequence of some parliamentary interest, formerly given
opportunely, and in consideration of certain arrangements in his diocese,
to serve persons whom ministers were obliged to oblige, a promise had long
ago been given to Bishop Clay that his recommendation to the deanery should
be accepted on the next vacancy. The bishop, who had promised the living to
his sister's husband, now presented it to Mr. Buckhurst Falconer, with the
important addition of Dr. Leicester's deanery.

To become a dean was once the height of Buckhurst's ambition, that for
which in a moment of elation he prayed, scarcely hoping that his wishes
would ever be fulfilled: yet now that his wish was accomplished, and
that he had attained this height of his ambition, was he happy? No!--far
from it; farther than ever. How could he be happy--dissatisfied with his
conduct, and detesting his wife? In the very act of selling himself to this
beldam, he abhorred his own meanness; but he did not know how much reason
he should have to repent, till the deed was done. It was done in a hurry,
with all the precipitation of a man who hates himself for what he feels
forced to do. Unused to bargain and sale in any way, in marriage never
having thought of it before, Buckhurst did not take all precautions
necessary to make his sacrifice answer his own purpose. He could not
conceive the avaricious temper and habits of his lady, till he was hers
past redemption. Whatever accession of income he obtained from his
marriage, he lived up to; immediately, his establishment, his expenses,
surpassed his revenue. His wife would not pay or advance a shilling beyond
her stipulated quota to their domestic expenses. He could not hear the
parsimonious manner in which she would have had him live, or the shabby
style in which she received his friends. He was more profuse in proportion