A new dean had also come, who was not only his friend, but the
brother-in-law of his wife; but even this advent had lessened the
authority of the archdeacon. The vicars choral did not hang upon
his words as they had been wont to do, and the minor canons smiled
in return to his smile less obsequiously when they met him in
the clerical circles of Barchester. But now it seemed that his
old supremacy was restored to him. In the minds of many men an
archdeacon, who was the father-in-law of a marquess, was himself
as good as any bishop. He did not say much of his new connexion
to others beside the dean, but he was conscious of the fact, and
conscious also of the reflected glory which shone around his own
head.
But as regards Mrs. Grantly it may be said that she moved in an
unending procession of stately ovation. It must not be supposed that
she continually talked to her friends and neighbours of Lord Dumbello
and the marchioness. She was by far too wise for such folly as that.
The coming alliance having been once announced, the name of Hartletop
was hardly mentioned by her out of her own domestic circle. But she
assumed, with an ease that was surprising even to herself, the airs
and graces of a mighty woman. She went through her work of morning
calls as though it were her business to be affable to the country
gentry.
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