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'Well, Olivia, I always thought you liked him, said Augusta, who at that moment had some grudge against her sister. 'I always disliked the man because I think him thoroughly vulgar. 'There you're wrong, said Mrs Proudie; 'he's not vulgar at all; and what is more, he is a soul-stirring, eloquent preacher; but he must be taught to know his place if he is to remain in this house.
Mr Thumble had suggested to Mrs Proudie, after their interview with the bishop and the giving up of the letter to the clerical messenger's charge, that before hiring a gig from the Dragon of Wantly, he should be glad to know, looking as he always did to "Mary Anne and the children", whence the price of the gig was to be returned to him.
'You may publish as you please, sir, said Mrs Proudie. 'But you will not be insane enough to publish any of your doings in Barchester. Do you think I have not heard of your kneelings at that creature's feet that is if she has any feet and of your constant slobbering over her hand? I advise you to beware, Mr Slope, of what you do and say.
It may therefore be presumed that Miss Dunstable had a will of her own. "Frank," said the countess, in the most natural and unpremeditated way, as soon as she caught her nephew's eye, "come here. I want to introduce you to Miss Dunstable." The introduction was then made. "Mrs Proudie, would you excuse me?
The news went out to Plumstead Episcopi by the postman, and happened to reach the archdeacon as he was talking to his sexton at the little gate leading into the churchyard. "Mrs Proudie dead!" he almost shouted, as the postman notified the fact to him. "Impossible!" "It be so for zartain, yer reverence," said the postman, who was proud of his news.
"My lord," said the doctor, "you had better write to me as I proposed to you just now." "His lordship will not write. His lordship will do nothing of the kind," said Mrs Proudie. "My dear!" said the bishop, driven in his perplexity beyond all carefulness of reticence. "My dear, I do wish you wouldn't, I do indeed. If you would only go away!" "I will not go away, my lord," said Mrs Proudie.
Harold Smith and I," said Mrs. Proudie to him. "This lecture at Barchester will be so late on Saturday evening, that you had all better come and dine with us." Mark bowed and thanked her, and declared that he should be very happy to make one of such a party. Even Lady Lufton could not object to this, although she was not especially fond of Mrs. Proudie. "And then they are to sleep at the hotel.
"You are not leaving us, Mr. Slope," said the watchful lady of the house, seeing her slave escaping towards the door, with stores of provisions held high above the heads of the guests. Mr. Slope explained that the Signora Neroni was in want of her supper. "Pray, Mr. Slope, let her brother take it to her," said Mrs. Proudie, quite out loud. "It is out of the question that you should be so employed.
He would say a word or two, explaining his haste, to the bishop; and then, if he could get out of the house at once, it might be that he would never see Mrs Proudie again. He was rather proud of his success in their late battle, but he felt that, having been so completely victorious, it would be foolish in him to risk his laurels in the chance of another encounter.
He had never before found himself subjected to such a nuisance, or been so hard pressed in his life. Mrs. Proudie interrogated him, and then lectured. "Neither thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man servant, nor thy maid servant," said she, impressively, and more than once, as though Mr. Harding had forgotten the words.