Hitherto he had looked on the two as allied forces and had considered that, as allies, they were impregnable.

He had begun to believe that his only chance of escape would be by the advancement of Mr.Slope to some distant and rich preferment.

But now it seemed that one of his enemies, certainly the least potent of them, but nevertheless one very important, was willing to desert his own camp.
Assisted by Mr.Slope what might he not do?
He walked up and down his little study, almost thinking that the time might come when he would be able to appropriate to his own use the big room upstairs in which his predecessor had always sat.
As he revolved these things in his mind a note was brought to him from Archdeacon Grantly, in which that divine begged his lordship to do him the honour of seeing him on the morrow--would his lordship have the kindness to name an hour?
Dr.Grantly's proposed visit would have reference to the reappointment of Mr.Harding to the wardenship of Barchester Hospital.

The bishop having read his note was informed that the archdeacon's servant was waiting for an answer.
Here at once a great opportunity offered itself to the bishop of acting on his own responsibility.

He bethought himself however of his new ally and rang the bell for Mr.Slope.It turned out that Mr.
Slope was not in the house, and then, greatly daring, the bishop with his own unassisted spirit wrote a note to the archdeacon saving that he would see him, and naming an hour for doing so.