登陆注册
5429600000124

第124章

And then Mr Slope began to meditate, as others also had done, as to who might possibly be the new dean; and it occurred to him, as it had also occurred to others, that it might be possible that he should be the new dean himself. And then the question as to the twelve hundred, or fifteen hundred, or two thousand, ran in his mind, as it had run through those of the other clergymen in the cathedral library.

Whether it might be two thousand, of fifteen, or twelve hundred, it would in any case undoubtedly be a great thing for him, if he could get it. The gratification to his ambition would be greater even than that of his covetousness.

How glorious to out-top the archdeacon in his own cathedral city;to sit above prebendaries and canons, and have the cathedral pulpit and all the cathedral services altogether at his own disposal!

But it might be easier to wish for this than to obtain it. Mr Slope, however, was not without some means of forwarding his views, and he at any rate did not let the grass grow under his feet. In the first place he thought--and not vainly--that he could count upon what assistance the bishop could give him. He immediately changed his views with regard to his patron; he made up his mind that if he became dean, he would hand his lordship back to his wife's vassalage; and he thought it possible that his lordship might not be sorry to rid himself of one of his mentors. Mr Slope had also taken some steps towards making his name known to other men in power. There was a certain chief-commissioner of national schools who at the present moment was presumed to stand especially high in the good graces of the government big wigs, and with him Mr Slope had contrived to establish a sort of epistolary intimacy. He thought that he might safely apply to Sir Nicholas Fitzhiggin; and he felt sure that if Sir Nicholas chose to exert himself, the promise of such a piece of preferment would be had for the asking for.

Then he also had the press at his bidding, or flattered himself that he had so. The daily Jupiter had taken his part in a very thorough manner in those polemical contests of his with Mr Arabin;he had on more than one occasion absolutely had an interview with a gentleman on the staff of the paper, who, if not the editor, was as good as the editor; and had long been in the habit of writing telling letters with his initials, and sent to his editorial friend with private notes signed in his own name. Indeed, he and Mr Towers--such was the name of the powerful gentleman of the press with whom he was connected--were generally very amiable with each other. Mr Slope's little productions were always printed and occasionally commented upon; and thus, in a small sort of way, he had become a literary celebrity. This public life had great charms for him, though it certainly also had its drawbacks. On one occasion, when speaking in the presence of reporters, he had failed to uphold and praise and swear by that special line of conduct which had been upheld and praised and sworn by in the Jupiter, and then he had been much surprised and at the moment not a little irritated to find himself lacerated most unmercifully by his old ally. He was quizzed and bespattered and made a fool of, just as though, or rather than if, he had been a constant enemy instead of a constant friend. He had hitherto not learnt that a man who aspires to be on the staff of the Jupiter must surrender all individuality. But ultimately this little castigation had broken no bones between him and his friend Mr Towers. Mr Slope was one of those who understood the world too well to show himself angry with such a potentate as the Jupiter. He had kissed the rod that scourged him, and now thought that he might fairly look for his reward. He determined that he would at once let Mr Towers know that he was a candidate for the place which was about to be become vacant. More than one place of preferment had lately been given away much in accordance with advice tendered to the government in the columns of the Jupiter.

But it was in incumbent on Mr Slope first to secure the bishop. He specially felt that it behoved him to do this before the visit to the archbishop was made. It was really quite providential that the dean should have fallen ill just at the very nick of time. If Dr Proudie could be instigated to take the matter up warmly, he might manage a good deal while staying at the archbishop's palace.

Feeling this very strongly Mr Slope determined to sound the bishop out that very afternoon. He was to start on the following morning to London, and therefore not a moment could be lost with safety.

He went into the bishop's study about five o'clock, and found him still sitting alone. It might have been supposed that he had hardly moved since the little excitement occasioned by the walk to the dean's door. He still wore on his face that dull dead look of half unconscious suffering. He was doing nothing, reading nothing, thinking of nothing, but simply gazing on vacancy when Mr Slope for the second time that day entered his room.

'Well, Slope,' said he, somewhat impatiently; for, to tell the truth, he was not anxious just at present to have much conversation with Mr Slope.

'Your lordship will be sorry to hear that as yet the poor dean has shown no signs of amendment.'

'Oh--ah--hasn't he? Poor man! I'm sure I'm very sorry. I suppose Sir Omicron has not arrived yet?'

'No; not till the 9.15pm train.'

'I wonder they didn't have a special. They say Dr Trefoil is very rich.'

'Very rich, I believe,' said Mr Slope. 'But the truth is, all the doctors in London can do no good; no other good than to show that every possible care has been taken. Poor Dr Trefoil is not long for this world, my lord.'

'I suppose not--I suppose not.'

'Oh no; indeed, his best friends could not wish that he should outlive such a shock, for his intellect cannot possibly survive it.'

'Poor man, poor man!' said the bishop.

同类推荐
  • 语增篇

    语增篇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 问花楼词话

    问花楼词话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 六壬断案

    六壬断案

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 阿毗达磨集异门足论

    阿毗达磨集异门足论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 金刚顶一字顶轮王瑜伽一切时处念诵成佛仪轨

    金刚顶一字顶轮王瑜伽一切时处念诵成佛仪轨

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 语文知识小丛书:词与短语

    语文知识小丛书:词与短语

    我们说话是一句一句地说,为的是一句话能表达一个完整的意思。而一句话又常常是由几个小单位组成的,每一个小单位能表达一个简单的意思。这样的小单位便称作“词”。
  • 强化大师来了

    强化大师来了

    一梦醒来,重回十二载。系统绑定,从强化自身开始。当发现改变世界能获得强化石的时候,看张良如何倒转乾坤,换得人间盛世繁华。
  • 斗傀天师

    斗傀天师

    陆家在这枭凰灵国辉煌了几百年,历任陆家家主无不是飞云踏雾的斗傀强者。想不到时至今日竟荒废颓败至此,族人散尽,门庭残败,现任家主陆辰也整日靠着仅存的底蕴纸醉金迷浑浑噩噩。本想这陆家到此算是彻底完了,可怎知这陆辰却生了个好儿子,这次天枭学院招测此子竟然以一敌众荣登魁首,只是这不争气的爹荒废了他这天生的聪资!真是作孽哟!
  • 便宜郡主

    便宜郡主

    一朝穿越,医界传奇天才慕瑶成为了将军府的“花瓶”嫡小姐,顶着个郡主身份背地里却遭人鄙夷、唾弃。然,她竟然也是天奉国人人口中的便宜郡主?无脑无能儿?这敢情好,不贵。好歹也是个郡主。前世二十五年的尽心尽力,换来的不过是青春殆尽,努力的奋斗却比不过一副美丽的皮囊外表。今世她决定随遇而安,舒舒服服睡一觉,过过偷得浮生半日闲的舒坦日子。无奈,家族的争斗,政治的漩涡,让她懒懒的生活打破了昔日的宁静。从此,那个不被世人看得起的女子,冷沉的性子,精明的眼眸,如盛开的罂粟花:艳丽,耀眼,夺目,勾人心魂,绽放出万丈光芒。司徒皓月:天奉国第一世家继承人,不屑于争名夺利,为了能够配得上她,仅用了五年时间,盖世风华,才华横溢……皇甫萧煊:无情三皇子,视女人为无物,女人只不过是巩固朝权,拉拢权贵的工具,然她的出现,竟也迷了他的眼。皇甫萧宇:神秘七殿下,五年之后,她才知道原来他笑得妖娆,笑得邪魅,笑得天地动容,笑得风华绝代,但这与她何干?西羽瑞砚:妖孽一枚,林荫大道上,片片红枫,坠落了谁的思念。独孤夜阑:一切尽在不言中……此人会和以上其中一男争夺女主,妖孽痴情男一枚,献给女主,呵呵。…………正在添加中……片段:“瑶儿……”南宫翎英俊的脸满是红晕,喃喃的叫着。“怎么,不是便宜郡主,改瑶儿了?”慕瑶云淡风轻的说着,那一声瑶儿激不起她的任何情绪。“瑶儿,当初我错了,其实我是喜欢你的。”南宫翎说出这句话几乎是闭着眼睛的,鼓足了勇气想把话说完整。“以后……我会对你好的。”转而,南宫翎脸色红得更深,只是此时是满脸羞红,英俊的脸再也看不出英俊。“有多好?”慕瑶换了坐的姿势,认真的撇了一眼眼前的男人。“……”顿时,南宫翎哑言,他觉得他就像个小丑,站在慕瑶面前接受她无声胜有声的羞辱。慕瑶冷笑一声,“来人关门打狗。”紧接着一扇朱红色的大门内传出来一阵阵惨不忍睹的嚎叫声……片刻之后……“丢出去。”慕瑶轻喝一声,瞬间,一个被揍成一团的南宫翎口吐泡沫,满身是伤被丢在了大街上。片段:院落里,精致华美的软榻上,慕瑶一袭雪白色的宽大衣衫,神情慵懒而随意。绿叶缓缓移步进入院落,小心翼翼的开口:“皇……郡主。”绿叶本想直接叫皇后娘娘,但思索着,郡主发脾气可不得了,片刻后……“……”“嗯。”“皇上说……说如果你不回去,他就纳妃了。”“这次是谁?”“圣旨上说姓慕名瑶……”
  • 囧神来了

    囧神来了

    朱浩天拿着定魂珠,差点笑出声来。他非常肯定,这颗充满魔力的珠子,将会帮他成为一名王者:睥睨天下,有钱有势,坐拥香车美女无数……“喵~”忽然,一声凄厉的猫叫在耳边响起。朱浩天受到惊吓,手上随之一抖,竟将定魂珠抖落到地上……“啪!”朱浩天简直不敢相信,这颗要帮他成为王者的定魂珠,拿在手里还没捂热,就特么摔碎了……摔碎了…………这是一个“囧”态百出的爆笑故事,也是一个“天意弄我,我必弄天”的热血故事。请谨慎阅读,可能会上瘾哦~
  • 我有一座地狱场

    我有一座地狱场

    滋……滋……欢迎进入……地狱场!玉兔:“呜呜呜,好阔怕,我不玩儿了。”周星拎着兔子的两只耳朵:“不玩?你钱都花了,不玩怎么行!”悟空吓得毛都竖起来了:“场主,我要退出。”周星淡淡道:“可以,把你身上的一件贵重物品给我。”白雪公主瑟瑟发抖:“天呀,我的冒险路线怎么还没完,场主你没骗我啵?”周星拿着手机一边直播一边说:“加量不加价,你还有什么不满意的?”
  • 梁京寺记

    梁京寺记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 武极天域

    武极天域

    传奇特种兵方林,穿越到了一个生性懦弱的倒霉蛋身上,从此踏上了一段轰杀各种天才的逆袭之路。修武道,破天地,傲苍穹,顺我者昌,逆我者通通轰成渣!
  • 欧·亨利短篇小说选(经典译林)

    欧·亨利短篇小说选(经典译林)

    全书收录了欧·亨利最负盛名的四十二篇短篇小说,多以20世纪初的纽约为背景,集中展现了世纪之交的时代风貌。作者敏锐地将社会热点问题剥离出来,以优雅和精炼的语言加以艺术再现。小说主人公多是小职员、警察、流浪汉和贫穷艺术家之类的小人物,但同时又是恩爱的夫妻、守信的友人、舍己为人的平民英雄等。小说构思精致机巧,情节张弛有度,结局往往出人意料,整体风格乐观诙谐,行文间充满机智。
  • 神偷国舅不安乐

    神偷国舅不安乐

    吃喝嫖赌抽,坑蒙拐骗偷。当鼎鼎大名的怪盗‘一枝花’阴错阳差的成为历史上臭名昭著的二世祖——庞昱,看她如何戏众男,玩朝堂,乱江湖!她忙时,鱼肉百姓,强抢民男;闲时,自偷自乐,屡破奇案。她既不求功名利禄,也不愿报效国家,一心只想把二世祖的威名传遍大江南北,力争做到“国舅出游行人避,一声安乐止儿啼。”片段一卧房内,某男正打算沐浴,欲借此洗去连日来的风尘。可他刚褪下官袍,外面突然一阵鸡飞狗跳。只见某女风风火火的闯进屋内,跑得是上气不接下气。她先奔到桌旁倒了杯凉茶,一饮而尽,随后注意到身着白色里衣的某男,嘿嘿一笑,反客为主:“不必管我,你继续,继续哈。”末了,某女还不忘做个请的手势,宛若她才是这个房间的主人。“不知小侯爷深夜来访所为何事?”某男恭恭敬敬的行了一礼,但话中却隐隐透着一丝不悦。“你先洗,待你沐浴更衣完毕,本侯再与你详谈。”尽管某女嘴上说的一本正经,可整个人却如老僧坐定一般,丝毫没有避嫌之意。“下官不敢劳小侯爷大驾,倘若小侯爷有要事相商,下官定全力配合。”某男的眼皮抖了抖,试图尽快赶走这尊不请自来的“大神”。“无碍,此事需从长计议,不急于一时。何况,大家同为男人,即便你洗,我在一旁看着,又有何不妥?”某女目光如炬,脸不红耳不热的说着大言不惭的话。不顾某男抽搐的嘴角,某女随手添了一杯茶,翘着二郎腿,坐等她的美男沐浴图。。。。。。片段二宫门外。“你是谁,为何堵住本王的去路?”某男挑了挑眉,狐疑地打量着挡在他面前的瘦小男子。“本侯乃当朝国舅,奉命迎契丹太子入宫,得罪之处,望太子见谅。”某女微微施礼,一番话下来是不卑不亢。然而,她那低垂的眼眸却闪过一丝狡黠,稍纵即逝。出于礼节,某男客气的回了句:“侯爷言重了。”某女睁着一双炯炯有神的大眼睛,盯着男子那堪比雕塑一样完美的伟岸身材,咽了咽口水,信口胡诌道:“启禀太子,我大宋素来有一规矩,但凡出入宫门的异邦人,必须经专人搜身后,方可入内。”“哦,这本王倒是头一次听闻。”某男单手托着下巴,饶有兴味的勾起嘴角。“我大宋规章制度繁多,并经常增减,难怪太子不知。”某女淡淡一笑,竟堂而皇之的说:“考虑到太子的尊贵身份,恐侍卫有所不周。搜身由本侯亲自执行,以示我大宋对契丹的诚意。”推荐自己滴文《重生之绝世无双》(1V1已完结)特别注意: