Mark, too, had risen in the world, as far as he had yet risen, by knowing great people; and he certainly had an ambition to rise higher.

I will not degrade him by calling him a tuft-hunter; but he undoubtedly had a feeling that the paths most pleasant for a clergyman's feet were those which were trodden by the great ones of the earth.

Nevertheless, at the moment he declined the duke's invitation.

He was very much flattered, he said, but the duties of his parish would require him to return direct from Chaldicotes to Framley.
"You need not give me an answer to-night, you know," said Mr.
Fothergill.

"Before the week is past, we will talk it over with Sowerby and the bishop.