Anthony Trollope: Barchester Towers

44. CHAPTER XLIV: MRS BOLD AT HOME (continued)

'I do not think it at all strange,' said he, 'that any one should admire my Eleanor.'

'It is strange to me,' said she, 'that any man should have so much audacity, without ever having received the slightest encouragement.'

To this Mr Harding answered nothing. With the archdeacon it would have been the text for a rejoinder, which would not have disgraced Bildad the Shuhite.

'But you'll tell the archdeacon,' asked Mr Harding.

'Tell him what?' said she sharply.

'Or Susan?' continued Mr Harding. 'You'll tell Susan; you'll let them know that they wronged you in supposing that this man's addresses would be agreeable to you.'

'They may find out their own way,' said she; 'I shall not ever willingly mention Mr Slope's name to either of them.'

'But I may.'

'I have no right to hinder you from doing anything that may be necessary to your own comfort, but pray do not do it for my sake. Dr Grantly never thought well of me, and never will. I don't know now that I an even anxious that he should do so.'

And then they went to the affair of the hospital. 'But is it true, papa?'

'What, my dear,' said he. 'About the dean? Yes, I fear quite true. Indeed, I know there is no doubt about it.'

'Poor Miss Trefoil. I am so sorry for her. But I did not mean that,' said Eleanor. 'But about the hospital, papa?

'Yes, my dear. I believe it is true that Mr Quiverful is to have it.'

'Oh, what a shame!'

'No, my dear, not at all, not at all a shame: I am sure I hope it will suit him.'