第273章

But Mrs Proudie did take immediate steps. Mr Thumble was at this moment in the palace waiting for instructions. It was he who had brought Mr Crawley's letter to Mrs Proudie, and she now returned to him with that letter in her hand. The reader will know what was the result. Mr Thumble was sent off to Hogglestock at once on the bishop's old cob, and--as will be remembered, fell into trouble on the road. Late in the afternoon, he entered the palace yard having led the cob by the bridle the whole way home from Hogglestock.

Some hour or two before Mr Thumble's return Mrs Proudie returned to her husband, thinking it better to let him know what she had done. She resolved to be very firm with him, but at the same time she determined not to use harsh language if it could be avoided. 'My dear,' she said, 'I have arranged with Mr Thumble.' She found him on this occasion sitting at his desk with papers before him, with a pen in his hand; and she could see at a glance that nothing had been written on the paper.

What would she have thought had she known that when he placed the sheet before him he was proposing to consult the archbishop as to the propriety of his resignation! He had not, however, progressed so far as to write even the date of his letter.

'You have done what?' said he, throwing down his pen.

'I have arranged with Mr Thumble as to going out to Hogglestock,' she said firmly. 'Indeed he has gone already.' Then the bishop jumped up from his seat, and rang the bell with violence. 'What are you going to do?' said Mrs Proudie.

'I am going to depart from here,' he said. 'I will not stay here to be the mark of scorn for all men's fingers. I will resign the diocese.'

'You cannot do that,' said his wife.

'I can try, at any rate,' said he. Then the servant entered. 'John,' said he, addressing the man, 'let Mr Thumble know the moment he returns to the palace I wish to see him here. Perhaps he may not come to the palace. In that case let word be sent to his house.'

Mrs Proudie allowed the man to go before she addressed her husband again. 'What do you mean to say to Mr Thumble when you see him?'

'That is nothing to you.'

She came up to him and put her hand upon his shoulder, and spoke to him very gently. 'Tom,' she said, 'is that the way in which you speak to your wife?'

'Yes, it is. You have driven me to it. Why have you taken upon yourself to send that man to Hogglestock?'

'Because it was right to do so. I came to you for instructions, and you would give none.'

'I should have given what instructions I pleased in proper time. Thumble shall not go to Hogglestock next Sunday.'

'Who shall go, then?'

'Never mind. Nobody. It does not matter to you. If you will leave me now I shall be obliged to you. There will be an end of all this very soon--very soon.'

Mrs Proudie stood for a while thinking what she would say; but she left the room without uttering another word. As she looked at him a hundred different thoughts came into her mind. She had loved him dearly, and she loved him still; but she knew now--at this moment felt absolutely sure--that by him she was hated! In spite of all her roughness and temper, Mrs Proudie was in this like other women--that she would fain have been loved had it been possible. She had always meant to serve him.

She was conscious of that; conscious also in a way that, although she had been industrious, although she had been faithful, although she was clever, yet she had failed. At the bottom of her heart she knew that she had been a bad wife. And yet she had meant to be a pattern wife! She had meant to be a good Christian; but she had so exercised her Christianity that not a soul in the world loved her, or would endure her presence if it could be avoided! She had sufficient insight to the minds and feelings of those around her to be aware of this. And now her husband had told her that her tyranny to him was so overbearing that he must throw up his great position, and retire to an obscurity that would be exceptionally disgraceful to them both, because he could no longer endure the public disgrace which her conduct brought upon him in his high place before the world! Her heart was too full for speech; and she left him, very quietly closing the door behind her.

She was preparing to go up to her chamber, with her hand on the banisters and with her foot upon the stairs, when she saw the servant who had answered the bishop's bell. 'John,' she said, 'when Mr Thumble comes to the palace, let me see him before he goes to my lord.'

'Yes, ma'am,' said John, who well understood the nature of those quarrels between his master and his mistress. But the commands of the mistress were still paramount among the servants, and John proceeded on his mission with the view of accomplishing Mrs Proudie's behests. Then Mrs Proudie went upstairs to her chamber, and locked her door.