Part 16 (1/2)

CHAPTER XI

_Possibilities are infinite, or great events in embrio: A bishop's dinner and a dean's devotion: A discovery: Clerical conversation: The way to rise in the church_

By this tian to wear a respectable appearance A third letter had been published, and a fourth was preparing I was in high favour Men of all ranks visited the earl; and dukes, lords, and barons becaowns and caps had formerly been in the streets of Oxford I stood on the very pinnacle of fortune; and, proud ofpole, I took pleasure in standing on tiptoe

Noticed by the leading men, caressed and courted by their dependants, politics encouragingme on that, the whole world seemed to be smiles and sunshi+ne; and I discovered that none but blockheads had any cause to co eased myself for the present oftime to finish I hastened with it to his lordshi+p,as usual He took it, but not with his forerness; read it, praised it, but with less of that zeal which interested hope supplies

I rean to inquire as my fault? 'None,'

replied his lordshi+p 'Your letter is excellent! char I could wish!+'--'Then I may send it to the press?'--'No: I would wish you not to do that'--'My lord!'--'Leave it withthat will surprise and please you'--'Indeed, ry after ranted; except that, with a significant se: and with this hint I retired

It was impossible forconjectures There was going to be a new ministry! It could not be otherwise!

Mrsoon afterward knocked at the door I looked through theand saw his carriage I went to the head of the stairs and heard him received, by the earl, with every expression of welcome!

I had now no doubt but that a place, if I would accept it, would incontinently be bestowed on me; and it was almost painful to think that my future plans were of an opposite kind Yet, why opposite?

Churchmen were not prohibited the circle of politics My station would be honourable, for they would not think of offering me trifles And why not step from the treasury bench to the bench of bishops? Let but the love of the state and the love of the church be there, and neither seat would suffer contamination

A revolution of fortune was certainly at hand: what it was I could not accurately foresee, but that it would be highly favourable no man in his senses could have the least doubt: such was my creed

The very next day I received a note fro me to partake of a family dinner, with him and his niece So it is! And so true is the proverb: it never rains but it pours! Good fortune absolutely persecuted me! Honours fell so thick at my feet that I had not tis, I knew not whether I ht not be invited, before the morrow came, to dine with a party of prime ministers, and be elected their president

Mean tiht proper to accept the bishop's invitation; and, as nothing better did actually intervene, when the hour ca there, the foot-roo told me the bishop would soon be down, and the Dean of ----, another rosy gilled son of the church I have often asked myself--'Why are butchers, tallow-chandlers, cook-nitaries so inclined to be fat?' but I could never satisfactorily resolve the question

His lordshi+p soonfirst paid his obedience to the dean, he took the lady by the hand, and presenting her to me said--'This, Mr Trevor, is lad to be acquainted with you' Bows, curtsies, and acknowledgs of course

Miss Wilmot, that was the lady's name, Miss Wilmot and I made attempts to entertain each other Her person was tall, her shape taper, her complexion delicate, and her demeanour easy Her remarks were not profound, but they were delivered without pretension She was more inclined to let the conversation die away than to sustain it by that flux of tongue, which afflicted the ear at the house of the Ellis's

Her countenance was strongly uid endeavour to please seerown into habit

Our attention was soon called to another quarter 'Dinner! dinner!

gentleht reverend father 'Co rather than spoil ive that'

Aent When a bishop has the happiness to be ready for his dinner, his dinner is sure to be ready for hi he would first pray for No remiss cooks, no delays for politeness sake there Nor is there any occasion: scandal itself cannot tax the clergy ant of punctuality, at the hour of dinner

We sat down The lady carved There were three of us, for she ate little But, heaven bless , one down and the other co of butchers and tallow-chandlers as I pleased, but the last part ofand pie-crust myself; but lord! I was an infant 'You don't eat, Mr

Trevor!' said the lady 'You don't eat, Mr Trevor!' said the dean

'You don't eat, Mr Trevor!' blubbered the bishop Yet never had I been so gorged since the first night at Oxford; and scarcely then