will allow me to inform his lordship that you decline to stand in Mr Harding’s way, I think I may promise you—though, by the bye, it must not be taken as a formal promise—that the bishop will not allow you to be a poorer man than you would have been had you become warden.’

Mr Quiverful sat in his arm chair silent, gazing at vacancy. What was he to say? All this that came from Mr Slope was so true. Mr Harding had a right to the hospital. The bishop had a great many good things to give away. Both the bishop and Mr Slope would be excellent friends and terrible enemies to a man in his position. And then he had no proof of any promise; he could not force the bishop to appoint him.

‘Well, Mr Quiverful, what do you say about it?’

‘Oh, of course, whatever you think, Mr Slope. It’s a great disappointment, a very great disappointment. I won’t deny that I am a very poor man, Mr Slope.’

‘In the end, Mr Quiverful, you will find that it will have been better for you.’

The interview ended in Mr Slope receiving a full renunciation from Mr Quiverful of any claim he might have to the appointment in question. It was only given verbally and without witnesses; but then the original promise was made in the same way.

Mr Slope assured him that he should not be forgotten, and then rode back to Barchester, satisfied that he would now be able to mould the bishop to his wishes.