’But people when they are—­you know what I mean, Grace; when they are not themselves—­do things that are wrong without meaning it.’  Then he paused, while she remained standing by him with her hand on the back of his.  She was looking at his face, which had been turned towards her while they were reading together, but which now was so far moved that she knew that his eyes could not be fixed upon hers.  ’Of course if the bishop orders it, it shall be so,’ he said.  ’It is quite enough for me that he is a bishop.’

‘What has the bishop ordered, papa?’

’Nothing at all.  It is she who does it.  He has given me no opinion about it.  Of course not.  He has none to give.  It is the woman.  You go and tell her from me that in such a matter I will not obey the word of any woman living.  Go at once, when I tell you.’

Then she knew that her father’s mind was wandering, and she knelt down by the bedside, still holding his hand.

‘Grace,’ he said.

‘Yes, papa, I am here.’

‘Why do you not do what I tell you?’ And he sat upright in his bed.  ’I suppose you are afraid of the woman.’

‘I should be afraid of her, dear papa.’

’I was not afraid of her.  When she spoke to me, I would have nothing to say to her;—­not a word;—­not a word.’  As he said this, he waved his hands about.  ’But as for him—­if it must be, it must.  I know I am not fit for it.  Of course I am not.  Who is?  But what has he ever done that he should be dean?  I beat him at everything; almost at everything.  He got the Newdigate, and that was about all.  Upon my word I think that was all.’

‘But Dr Arabin loves you truly, dear papa.’

’Love me! psha!  Does he ever come here to tea, as he used to do?  No!  I remember buttering toast for him down on my knees before the fire, because he liked it—­and keeping all the cream for him.  He should have my heart’s blood if he wanted it.  But now;—­look at his books, Grace.  It’s the outside of them he cares for.  They are all gilt, but I doubt if he ever reads.  As for her—­I will not allow any woman to tell me my duty.  No;—­but my Maker; not even your mother, who is the best of women.  And as for her, with her little husband dangling at her apron-strings, as a call-whistle to be blown into when she pleases—­that she should dare to teach me my duty!  No!  The men in the jury-box may decide how they will.  If they can believe a plain story, let them!  If not—­let them do as they please.  I am ready to bear it all.’

‘Dear papa, you are tired.  Will you not try to sleep?’

’Tell Mrs Proudie what I say; and as for Arabin’s money, I took it.  I know I took it.  What would you have me do?  Shall I—­see them—­all starve?’ Then he fell back upon his bed and did sleep.

The next day he was better, and insisted upon getting out of bed, and on sitting in his old arm-chair over the fire.  And the Greek books were again had out; and Grace, not at all unwillingly, was put through her facings.  ‘If you don’t take care, my dear,’ he said, ’Jane will beat you yet.  She understands the force of the verbs better than you do.’