登陆注册
5429600000093

第93章

'But surely you told me, and repeated it more than once, that he had done so in your hearing.'

'So I understood him. But it seems I was in error. But don't for a moment, Mr Quiverful, suppose that I mean to throw you over. No.

Having held out my hand to a man in your position, with your large family and pressing claims, I am not now going to draw it back again. I only want you to act with me fairly and honestly.'

'Whatever I do, I shall endeavour at any rate to act fairly,' said the poor man, feeling that he had to fall back for support on the spirit of martyrdom within him.

'I am sure you will,' said the other. 'I am sure you have no wish to obtain possession of an income which belongs by all rights to another. No man knows better than you do Mr Harding's history, or can better appreciate his character. Mr Harding is very desirous of returning to his old position, and the bishop feels that he is at the present moment somewhat hampered, though of course he is not bound, by the conversation which took place on the matter between you and me.'

'Well,' said Mr Quiverful, dreadfully doubtful as to what his conduct under such circumstances should be, and fruitlessly striving to harden his nerves with some of that instinct of self-preservation which made his wife so bold.

'The wardenship of this little hospital is not the only thing in the bishop's gift, Mr Quiverful, nor is it by many degrees the best. And his lordship is not the man to forget any one whom he has once marked with approval. If you would allow me to advise you as a friend--'

'Indeed I shall be grateful to you,' said the poor vicar of Puddingdale--'I should advise you to withdraw from any opposition to Mr Harding's claims. If you persist in your demand, I do not think you will ultimately succeed. Mr Harding has all but a positive right to the place. But if you will allow me to inform his lordship that you decline to stand in Mr Harding's way, I think I may promise you--though, by the bye, it must not be taken as a formal promise--that the bishop will not allow you to be a poorer man than you would have been had you become warden.'

Mr Quiverful sat in his arm chair silent, gazing at vacancy. What was he to say? All this that came from Mr Slope was so true. Mr Harding had a right to the hospital. The bishop had a great many good things to give away. Both the bishop and Mr Slope would be excellent friends and terrible enemies to a man in his position.

And then he had no proof of any promise; he could not force the bishop to appoint him.

'Well, Mr Quiverful, what do you say about it?'

'Oh, of course, whatever you think, Mr Slope. It's a great disappointment, a very great disappointment. I won't deny that I am a very poor man, Mr Slope.'

'In the end, Mr Quiverful, you will find that it will have been better for you.'

The interview ended in Mr Slope receiving a full renunciation from Mr Quiverful of any claim he might have to the appointment in question. It was only given verbally and without witnesses; but then the original promise was made in the same way.

Mr Slope assured him that he should not be forgotten, and then rode back to Barchester, satisfied that he would now be able to mould the bishop to his wishes.

同类推荐
  • 朝鲜纪事

    朝鲜纪事

    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。
  • 宦游日记

    宦游日记

    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。
  • 佛说呵雕阿那鋡经

    佛说呵雕阿那鋡经

    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。
  • 外经微言

    外经微言

    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。
  • 上清太玄集

    上清太玄集

    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
  • 杨家府世代忠勇通俗演义

    杨家府世代忠勇通俗演义

    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。
  • 晚唐不良人

    晚唐不良人

    先天体弱的刑侦教授穿越回大唐,成为一名缉捕盗贼的长安不良人。
  • 皇家杀手之凤凰于飞

    皇家杀手之凤凰于飞

    “我走了,心累了。”她还是没有情绪的说出这句话。他看着她,怔怔的不说话,左手还握着没来得及穿上的锦绣华衣,而右手手心还残留她留下的余温。那句“我陪你”到底有没有说出口?一想到从今天起谁拥有她面笑如花,谁陪她行走天涯。而他也知道了她要的只是最简单的幸福,没有大好河山、旖旎天下,她要的、她所给予的都仅仅是一个人的满满的心意而已。
  • 至尊傀儡师:冰山四小姐

    至尊傀儡师:冰山四小姐

    一朝穿越,成了沐府的痴傻四小姐,族中子弟的羞辱,三姐打骂,爷爷闭关,父亲失踪,只有二姐护她周全……一手医术活死人肉白骨,却独独救不了至亲的他……一场拍卖一次交易,却从此被他纠缠不休……他冷酷无情,却独独钟情于她,在他的意愿里只有宠她!再宠她!宠坏她!当有人问起和她的关系时“我是她未婚夫”拦腰抱着她,邪笑“有问题?嗯!”Ps:此文甜宠,欢迎入坑!
  • 奇幻故事

    奇幻故事

    无数事实、经验和理性已经证明:好故事可以影响人的一生。而以我们之见,所谓好故事,在内容上讲述的应是做人与处世的道理,在形式上也应听得进、记得住、讲得出、传得开,而且不会因时代的变迁而失去她的本质特征和艺术光彩。为了让更多的读者走进好故事,阅读好故事,欣赏好故事,珍藏好故事,传播好故事,我们特编选了一套“故事会5元精品系列”以飨之。其选择标准主要有以下三点:一、在《故事会》杂志上发表的作品。二、有过目不忘的艺术感染力。三、有恒久的趣味,对今天的读者仍有启迪作用。愿好故事伴随你的一生!
  • 第九个寡妇

    第九个寡妇

    《第九个寡妇》是著名女作家严歌苓的重要代表作,也是她的转型作。作品讲述了中原地区一个叫王葡萄的寡妇在土改时期藏匿其地主公爹的传奇故事,时间跨越二十世纪四十至八十年代。宏大的历史叙事与个人的传奇经历相结合,深远的济世情怀与浓郁的生活气息相结合。王葡萄是严歌苓笔下最光彩照人的女性角色之一,强大而嚣张、坚忍而娇媚,其浑然不分的仁爱与包容一切的宽厚使其超越了人世间一切利害之争。小说的情节从葡萄以童养媳身份掩护公爹尽孝与作为寡妇以强烈情欲与不同男人偷欢之间的落差展开,写出了人性的灿烂,体现了民间大地的真正的能量和本原。
  • 如果我在火影是宇智波鼬

    如果我在火影是宇智波鼬

    我那么帅还那么有钱而且还是富N代和官N代,凭什么穿越?能不能给那些没我帅没我有钱没有我有势力没我优秀的人机会?哎算了,反正都是回炉重造,大家起跑线都是一样的了,结果你说我成了宇智波鼬你说气不气人?哦吼,又是官二代,算了,既然我这么优秀暗淡不下来就继续优秀吧。不过呢,这个世界的妹砸……额咳咳咳……说错了,是这个世界的人类啊,感受我支配的痛苦吧!俺就是宇智波……鼬!哇哈哈哈咳…咳咳………………就是酱个样子!曾经的鼬神一去不复返,现在有的……哼哼!是偶!这个世界的王者,不过貌似我这个号充钱不够免费体验的VIP时间一过还是得苦比啊。至于有多艰苦,嘿嘿……
  • 停车场的秘密

    停车场的秘密

    在远离人群的地下停车场,有多少不为人知的秘密。我叫李布森,是一个地下停车场保安,让我带你们参观繁华都市落幕后的恐慌。
  • 帝少狂傲,千金娇妻宠上瘾

    帝少狂傲,千金娇妻宠上瘾

    她是失去庇护的落魄千金,遭遇男友背叛,继母和小三陷害逼嫁八十岁的老头子!她走投无路,离家出逃,却正好撞上他的车!他是Z市最矜贵的男人。权势滔天却冷漠如冰,不近女色,独对她不排斥。她为了摆脱渣爹算计上了他贼船,却在他一次次救她于水火时渐渐沦陷……怀孕,以为于他亦是惊喜,换来他斩钉截铁——打掉!原来,初恋留学归来,她这个替代品该让位,心如枯槁却不想抹杀腹中小生命,她逃了。三年后。他对她穷追猛打。“哼!以为这样就不离婚了?没门,去和初恋过一辈子吧!”“妈咪,爹地说离婚可以,但是有一个条件:他净身出户,什么都不要,只要两样!”“哪两样?”“一大一小!”
  • 一首情诗一场爱

    一首情诗一场爱

    本书集合了中国历朝历代诸多名家的爱情诗篇,切入点独特,分为暗恋、初恋、热恋、生死恋、异地恋、婚外恋、苦恋、失恋等八个章节,采用另类文字表述,古今结合,不拘泥于对古典情诗字面的理解,也非传统意义上的简单赏析,而是一种风格独特、感情丰富的全面阐述。本书的魅力亮点,就是既满足读者对情诗本身的知识需求,也满足了读者对情诗背后历史故事甚至野史掌故的了解,并结合现代爱情故事解析、感悟爱情,知识性、趣味性、通俗性兼具。是一本走进灵魂,涤荡浮躁,让你思念成河、静思如梦的书。