CHAPTER III.
Dr.and Mrs.Proudie This narrative is supposed to commence immediately after the installation of Dr.Proudie.I will not describe the ceremony, as I do not precisely understand its nature.

I am ignorant whether a bishop be chaired like a member of Parliament, or carried in a gilt coach like a lord mayor, or sworn like a justice of peace, or introduced like a peer to the upper house, or led between two brethren like a knight of the garter; but I do know that everything was properly done, and that nothing fit or becoming to a young bishop was omitted on the occasion.
Dr.Proudie was not the man to allow anything to be omitted that might be becoming to his new dignity.

He understood well the value of forms, and knew that the due observance of rank could not be maintained unless the exterior trappings belonging to it were held in proper esteem.

He was a man born to move in high circles; at least so he thought himself, and circumstances had certainly sustained him in this view.

He was the nephew of an Irish baron by his mother's side, and his wife was the niece of a Scotch earl.