It was now known throughout Barchester that a commission was to be held by the bishop's orders, at which inquiry would be made--that is, ecclesiastical inquiry--as to the guilt imputed to Mr Crawley in the matter of Mr Soames's cheque. Sundry rumours had gone abroad as to quarrels which had taken place on the subject among certain clergymen high in office; but these were simply rumours, and nothing was in truth known. There was no more discreet clergyman in the diocese than Dr Tempest, and not a word had escaped from him as to the stormy nature of that meeting in the bishop's palace, at which he had attended with the bishop--and at which Mrs Proudie had attended also. When it is said that the fact of this coming commission was known to all Barsetshire, allusion is of course made to that portion of the inhabitants of Barsetshire to which clerical matters were dear;--and as such matters were specially dear to the inhabitants of the parish of Framley, the commission was discussed very eagerly in that parish, and was specially discussed by the Dowager Lady Lufton.
And there was a double interest attached to the commission in the parish of Framley by the fact that Mr Robarts, the vicar, had been invited by Dr Tempest to be one of the clergymen who were to assist in making the inquiry. 'I also to propose to ask Mr Oriel of Greshambury to join us,' said Dr Tempest. 'The bishop wishes to appoint the other two, and has already named Mr Thumble and Mr Quiverful, who are both residents in the city. Perhaps his lordship may be right in thinking it better that the matter should not be left altogether in the hands of clergymen who hold livings in the diocese. You are no doubt aware that neither Mr Thumble nor Mr Quiverful do hold any benefice.' Mr Robarts felt --as everybody else did feel who knew anything of the matter--that Bishop Proudie was singularly ignorant of his knowledge of men, and that he showed his ignorance on this special occasion. 'If he intended to name two such men he should at any rate have named three,' said Dr Thorne. 'Mr Thumble and Mr Quiverful will simply be outvoted on the first day, and after that will give in their adhesion to the majority.' 'Mr Thumble indeed!' Lady Lufton had said, with much scorn in her voice. To her thinking, it was absurd in the highest degree that such men as Dr Tempest and her Mr Robarts should be asked to meet Mr Thumble and Mr Quiverful on a matter of ecclesiastical business. Outvoted! Of course whey would be outvoted.
Of course they would be so paralysed by fear at finding themselves in the presence of real gentlemen, that they would hardly be able to vote at all. Old Lady Lufton did not in fact utter words so harsh as these;but thoughts as harsh passed through her mind. The reader therefore will understand that much interest was felt in the subject at Framley Court, where Lady Lufton lived with her son and daughter-in-law.
'They tell me,' said Lady Lufton, 'that both the archdeacon and Dr Tempest think it is right that a commission should be held. If so, Ihave no doubt that it is right.'
'Mark says that the bishop could hardly do anything else,' rejoined Mrs Robarts.
'I daresay not, my dear. I suppose the bishop that somebody has near him to tell him what he may do and what he may not do. It would be terrible to think of, if it were not so. But yet, when I hear that he has named such men as Mr Thumble and Mr Quiverful, I cannot but feel that the whole diocese is disgraced.'
'Oh, Lady Lufton, that is such a strong word,' said Mrs Robarts.
'It may be strong, but it is not the less true,' said Lady Lufton.
And from talking on the subject of the Crawleys, Lady Lufton soon advanced, first to a desire for some action, and than to acting. 'Ithink, my dear, I will go over and see Mrs Crawley,' said Lady Lufton, the elder to Lady Lufton the younger. Lady Lufton the younger had nothing to urge against this; but she did not offer to accompany the elder Lady. I attempted to explain in the earlier part of this story that there still existed a certain understanding between Mrs Crawley and Lord Lufton's wife, and that kindnesses had occasionally passed from Framley Court to Hogglestock Parsonage; but on this occasion, Lady Lufton--the Lucy Robarts that had once passed certain days of her life with the Crawleys at Hogglestock--did not choose to accompany her mother-in-law; and therefore Mrs Robarts was invited to do so. 'I think it may comfort her to know that she has our sympathy,' the elder woman said to the younger as they made their journey together.
When the carriage stopped before the little wicker-gate, from when a path led through a ragged garden from the road to Mr Crawley's house, Lady Lufton hardly knew how to proceed. The servant came to the door of the carriage, and asked for her orders. 'H--m--m, ha, yes; I think I'll send in my card;--and say that I hope Mrs Crawley will be able to see me. Won't that be best; eh, Fanny?' Fanny, otherwise Mrs Robarts, said that she thought that would be best; and the card and message were carried in.
It was happily the case that Mr Crawley was not at home. Mr Crawley was away at Hoggle End, reading to the brickmakers, or turning the mangles of their wives, or teaching them theology, or politics, or history, after his fashion. In these days he spent, perhaps, the happiest hours of his life down at Hoggle End. I say that his absence was a happy chance, because, had he been at home, he would certainly have said something, or done something, to offend Lady Lufton. He would either have refused to see her, or when seeing her he would have bade her hold her peace and not interfere with matters which did not concern her, or--more probable still--he would have sat still and sullen, and have spoken not at all. But he was away and Mrs Crawley sent out word by the servant that she would be most proud to see her ladyship, if her ladyship would be pleased to alight. Her ladyship did alight, and walked into the parsonage, followed by Mrs Robarts.
