Chapter 18 Summary

The Archdeacon has been denied a meeting with the Bishop to discuss the wardenship of the hospital. He then visits Eleanor and Dr. Harding to vent his frustration and express his anger at Mr. Slope, who he views as the reason for all the problems in Barchester. Eleanor defends Mr. Slope, fueling suspicions that she is considering marrying him. Eleanor and the Archdeacon have a very serious argument over Mr. Slope in which neither of them realize what the other is fighting for. The Archdeacon assumes that Eleanor's defense of Mr. Slope comes from her romantic feelings toward him. Eleanor assumes that the Archdeacon's anger comes from the fact that Eleanor will not let him tell her what to think.

Dr. Harding is very disturbed to be the cause of so much trouble and wants to give up the fight for the hospital...