He, as well as others at Barchester, regretted that a man should be sent among them who, they were aware, was not of their way of thinking; but Mr.Harding himself was not a bigoted man on points of church doctrine, and he was quite prepared to welcome Dr.Proudie to Barchester in a graceful and becoming manner.

He had nothing to seek and nothing to fear; he felt that it behoved him to be on good terms with his bishop, and he did not anticipate any obstacle that would prevent it.
In such a frame of mind he proceeded to pay his respects at the palace the second day after the arrival of the bishop and his chaplain.

But he did not go alone.

Dr.Grantly proposed to accompany him, and Mr.Harding was not sorry to have a companion, who would remove from his shoulders the burden of the conversation in such an interview.

In the affair of the consecration Dr.Grantly had been introduced to the bishop, and Mr.Harding had also been there.