Now, Mrs. Proudie was not satisfied with home dominion, but stretched her power over all her husband’s movements, and would not even abstain from things spiritual.  In fact, the bishop was henpecked.  In her own way the bishop’s wife was a religious woman, and the form in which this tendency showed itself in her was by a strict observance of Sabbatarian rule.  Dissipation and low dresses during the week were, under her control, atoned for by three services, an evening sermon read by herself, and a perfect abstinence from any cheering employment on the Sunday.  In these matters Mrs. Proudie allowed herself to be guided by the Rev. Mr. Slope, the bishop’s chaplain; and as Dr. Proudie was guided by his wife, it necessarily followed that Mr. Slope had obtained a good deal of control over Dr. Proudie in matters concerning religion.  Mr. Slope’s only preferment hitherto had been that of reader and preacher in a London district church; and on the consecration of his friend the new bishop he readily gave this up to become domestic chaplain to his lordship.

II.—­The Bishop’s Chaplain

When Mr. Slope sat himself down in the railway carriage, confronting the bishop and Mrs. Proudie, as they started on their first journey to Barchester, he began to form in his own mind a plan of his future life.  He knew well his patron’s strong points, but he knew the weak ones as well; and he rightly guessed that public life would better suit the great man’s taste than the small details of diocesan duty.

He, therefore—­he, Mr. Slope—­would in effect be bishop of Barchester.  Such was his resolve; and, to give Mr. Slope his due, he had both courage and spirit to bear him out in his resolution.  He knew that he should have a hard battle to fight, for Mr. Proudie would also choose to be bishop of Barchester.  At first, doubtless, he must flatter and cajole, and perhaps yield in some things; but he did not doubt of ultimate triumph.  If all other means failed, he could join the bishop against his wife, inspire courage into the unhappy man, and emancipate the husband.

Such were Mr. Slope’s thoughts as he sat looking at the sleeping pair in the railway carriage.  He intended to lead, and to have followers; he intended to hold the purse-strings of the diocese, and draw round him a herd of his poor and hungry brethren.  He had, however, a pawing, greasy way with him, and he was not a man to make himself at once popular in the circle of Barchester.

The second day after his arrival came Mr. Slope’s first introduction to the clergy of Barchester, when Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Harding called together at the palace to pay their respects to the bishop.

Our friends found Dr. Proudie sitting in the old bishop’s chair, very nice in his new apron; they found, too, Mr. Slope standing on the hearth-rug, persuasive and eager; but on the sofa they found Mrs. Proudie, an innovation for which no precedent could be found in all the annals of Barchester.  There she was, however, and they could only make the best of her.