He was in this position when congenial ideas on religious subjects recommended him to Mrs.
Proudie, and the intercourse had become close and confidential.
Having been thus familiarly thrown among the Misses Proudie, it was no more than natural that some softer feeling than friendship should be engendered.

There have been some passages of love between him and the eldest hope, Olivia, but they have hitherto resulted in no favourable arrangement.

In truth, Mr.Slope, having made a declaration of affection, afterwards withdrew it on finding that the doctor had no immediate worldly funds with which to endow his child, and it may easily be conceived that Miss Proudie, after such an announcement on his part, was not readily disposed to receive any further show of affection.

On the appointment of Dr.Proudie to the bishopric of Barchester, Mr.Slope's views were in truth somewhat altered.

Bishops, even though they be poor, can provide for clerical children, and Mr.Slope began to regret that he had not been more disinterested.