His wife followed him, and did not hear the blandishments with which Thompson instructed his myrmidon to follow through the mud on foot.

Slowly they made their way through the lanes, and it was nearly twelve when the fly was driven into the yard of the "George and Vulture" at Silverbridge.
Silverbridge, though it was blessed with a mayor and corporation, and was blessed also with a Member of Parliament all to itself, was not blessed with any court-house.

The magistrates were therefore compelled to sit in the big room at the "George and Vulture," in which the county balls were celebrated, and the meeting of the West Barsetshire freemasons was held.

That part of the country was, no doubt, very much ashamed of its backwardness in this respect, but as yet nothing had been done to remedy the evil.

Thompson and his fly were therefore driven into the yard of the Inn, and Mr.and Mrs.Crawley were ushered by him up into a little bed-chamber close adjoining to the big room in which the magistrates were already assembled.