Mr. Harding allowed himself no rest till everything was prepared for his departure from the hospital.

For his present use he took a lodging in Barchester, and thither were conveyed such articles as he wanted for daily use.  Mrs. Grantly had much wished that her sister would reside at Plumstead, but Eleanor strongly resisted this proposal.  She had not desired that her father should give up the hospital in order that she might live at Plumstead rectory and he alone in his Barchester lodgings.  So she got a little bedroom for herself behind the sitting-room, and just over the little back parlour of the chemist, with whom they were to lodge.  There was somewhat of a savour of senna softened by peppermint about the place; but, on the whole, the lodgings were clean and comfortable.

Nothing could induce the bishop to fill up the vacancy at Hiram’s Hospital caused by Mr. Harding’s retirement.  It is now some years since Mr. Harding left it, and the warden’s house is tenantless and the warden’s garden a wretched wilderness.

Mr. Harding is neither a discontented nor an unhappy man; he still inhabits the lodgings to which he went on leaving the hospital, but he now has them to himself.  Three months after that time Eleanor became Mrs. Bold, and of course removed to her husband’s house.

The archdeacon would not be persuaded to grace the marriage ceremony with his presence, but he allowed his wife and children to be there.  The marriage took place at the palace, and the bishop himself officiated.  It was the last occasion on which he ever did so, and it is not probable that he will ever do so again.

Mr. Harding’s time is spent chiefly at his daughter’s or at the palace, but he keeps his lodgings.

Every other day a message is brought to him from the bishop.  “The bishop’s compliments, and his lordship is not very well to-day, and he hopes Mr. Harding will dine with him.”  This bulletin as to the old man’s health is a myth; for, though he is over eighty, he is never ill.  Mr. Harding does dine with him very often, which means going to the palace at three and remaining till ten.

* * * * *

Barchester Towers

“Barchester Towers” shares with “The Warden” the distinction of containing Trollope’s most original, freshest, and best work, and in the character of Mr. Proudie a new specimen was added to English fiction.  It was written for the most part in pencil, while the author was travelling about the country prosecuting his duties as a Post-office Surveyor, what was done being afterwards copied by the novelist’s wife.  The Barchester of the story has been identified as Winchester, and scattered at random throughout the work are many references to the neighbourhood of Hampshire’s ancient capital.

I.—­The New Bishop

In the latter days of July in the year 1805, a most important question was hourly asked in the cathedral city of Barchester:  Who was to be the new bishop?