With what surprise did the
bishop now look back upon that unholy war which he had once been
tempted to wage against the wife of his bosom? Nor did any of the
Miss Proudies show themselves at that early hour. They, perhaps, were
absent on a different ground. With them Mrs. Proudie had not been
so successful as with the bishop. They had wills of their own which
became stronger and stronger every day. Of the three with whom Mrs.
Proudie was blessed one was already in a position to exercise that
will in a legitimate way over a very excellent young clergyman in
the diocese, the Rev. Optimus Grey; but the other two, having as yet
no such opening for their powers of command, were perhaps a little
too much inclined to keep themselves in practice at home. But at
half-past seven punctually Mrs. Proudie was there, and so was the
domestic chaplain; so was Mr. Robarts, and so were the household
servants--all excepting one lazy recreant. "Where is Thomas?" said
she of the Argus eyes, standing up with her book of family prayers in
her hand. "So please you, ma'am, Tummas be bad with the tooth-ache."
"Tooth-ache!" exclaimed Mrs. Proudie; but her eyes said more terrible
things than that. "Let Thomas come to me before church." And then
they proceeded to prayers.
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