Then the bishop rose from his chair to speak, intending to take up a position on the rug.  But as he did so Mr Crawley, who had also seated himself on an intimation that he was expected to sit down, rose also, and the bishop found that he would thus lose his expected vantage.  ’Will you not be seated, Mr Crawley?’ said the bishop.  Mr Crawley smiled, but stood his ground.  Then the bishop returned to his arm-chair, and Mr Crawley also sat down again.  ‘Mr Crawley,’ began the bishop, ’this matter which the other day came before the magistrates at Silverbridge has been a most unfortunate affair.  It has given me, I can assure you, the most sincere pain.’

Mr Crawley had made up his mind how far the bishop should be allowed to go without a rebuke.  He had told himself that it would only be natural, and would not be unbecoming, that the bishop should allude to a meeting of the magistrates and to the alleged theft, and that therefore such allusions should be endured with patient humility.  And, moreover, the more rope he gave the bishop, the more likely the bishop would be to entangle himself.  It certainly was Mr Crawley’s wish that the bishop should entangle himself.  He, therefore, replied, very meekly.  ’It has been most unfortunate, my lord.’

‘I have felt for Mrs Crawley very deeply,’ said Mrs Proudie.  Mr Crawley now made up his mind that as long as it was possible he would ignore the presence of Mrs Proudie altogether; and, therefore, he made no sign that he had heard the latter remark.

‘It has been most unfortunate,’ continued the bishop.  ’I have never before had a clergyman in my diocese placed in so distressing a position.’

‘That is a matter of opinion, my lord,’ said Mr Crawley, who at that moment thought of a crisis that had come in the life of another clergyman in the diocese of Barchester, and the circumstances of which he had by chance become acquainted.

‘Exactly,’ said the bishop.  ‘And I am expressing my opinion.’  Mr Crawley, who understood fighting, did not think the time had yet come for striking a blow, so he simply bowed again.  ’A most unfortunate position, Mr Crawley,’ continued the bishop.  ’Far be it from me to express an opinion on the matter, which will have to come before a jury of your countrymen.  It is enough for me to know that the magistrates assembled at Silverbridge, gentlemen to whom no doubt you must be known, as most of them live in your neighbourhood, have heard evidence upon the subject—­’

‘Most convincing evidence,’ said Mrs Proudie, interrupting her husband.  Mr Crawley’s black brow became a little blacker as he heard the word, but he still ignored the woman.  He not only did not speak, but did not turn his eyes upon her.

‘They have heard the evidence on the subject,’ continued the bishop, ’and they have thought it proper to refer the decision as to your innocence or your guilt to a jury of your countrymen.’

‘And they were right,’ said Mr Crawley.