Of the former he was not very fond, and, in spite of his host's petition, was not inclined to play bachelor parson for her benefit.

With the other lady he would willingly have chatted during the dinner, only that everybody else at table seemed to be intent on doing the same thing.

She was neither young, nor beautiful, nor peculiarly ladylike; yet she seemed to enjoy a popularity which must have excited the envy of Mr.
Supplehouse, and which certainly was not altogether to the taste of Mrs.Proudie--who, however, feted her as much as did the others.
So that our clergyman found himself unable to obtain more than an inconsiderable share of the lady's attention.
"Bishop," said she, speaking across the table, "we have missed you so all day! we have had no one on earth to say a word to us." "My dear Miss Dunstable, had I known that-- But I really was engaged on business of some importance." "I don't believe in business of importance; do you, Mrs.Smith ?" "Do I not ?" said Mrs.Smith.

"If you were married to Mr.Harold Smith for one week, you'd believe in it." "Should I, now?
What a pity that I can't have that chance of improving my faith! But you are a man of business, also, Mr.
Supplehouse; so they tell me." And she turned to her neighbour on her right hand.
"I cannot compare myself to Harold Smith," said he.

"But perhaps I may equal the bishop." "What does a man do, now, when he sits himself down to business?
How does he set about it?
What are his tools?
A quire of blotting paper, I suppose, to begin with ?" "That depends, I should say, on his trade.