You remember that sermon--" "Oh, Mr.Slope, we need not go back to that," said Eleanor.
"For one moment, Mrs.Bold.It is not that I may talk of myself, but because it is so essential that you should understand how matters stand.

That sermon may have been ill-judged--it was certainly misunderstood; but I will say nothing about that now; only this, that it did give rise to a feeling against myself which your father shares with others.

It may be that he has proper cause, but the result is that he is not inclined to meet me on friendly terms.

I put it to yourself whether you do not know this to be the case." Eleanor made no answer, and Mr.Slope, in the eagerness of his address, edged his chair a little nearer to the widow's seat, unperceived by her.
"Such being so," continued Mr.Slope, "I cannot ask him this question as I can ask it of you.

In spite of my delinquencies since I came to Barchester you have allowed me to regard you as a friend." Eleanor made a little motion with her head which was hardly confirmatory, but Mr.Slope if he noticed it, did not appear to do so.