In five lines she explained everything, declared how impossible it was for her not to be desirous to make the acquaintance of such persons as the Bishop of Barchester and his wife, and she might add also of Mr.Slope, depicted her own grievous state, and concluded by being assured that Mrs.Proudie would forgive her extreme hardihood in petitioning to be allowed to be carried to a sofa.

She then enclosed one of her beautiful cards.
In return she received as polite an answer from Mr.Slope--a sofa should be kept in the large drawing-room, immediately at the top of the grand stairs, especially for her use.
And now the day of the party had arrived.

The bishop and his wife came down from town only on the morning of the eventful day, as behoved such great people to do, but Mr.Slope had toiled day and night to see that everything should be in right order.

There had been much to do.

No company had been seen in the palace since heaven knows when.