"So you have caught Sir George, after all," said Lady Lufton, and that was nearly all she did say in allusion to his absence. There was afterwards some conversation about the lecture, and from her ladyship's remarks, it certainly was apparent that she did not like the people among whom the vicar had been lately staying; but she said no word that was personal to him himself, or that could be taken as a reproach. The little episode of Mrs. Proudie's address in the lecture-room had already reached Framley, and it was only to be expected that Lady Lufton should enjoy the joke. She would affect to believe that the body of the lecture had been given by the bishop's wife; and afterwards when Mark described her costume at that Sunday morning breakfast-table, Lady Lufton would assume that such had been the dress in which she had exercised her faculties in public.
"I would have given a five-pound note to have heard it," said Sir George.
"So would not I," said Lady Lufton. "When one hears of such things described so graphically as Mr. Robarts now tells it, one can hardly help laughing. But it would give me great pain to see the wife of one of our bishops place herself in such a situation. For he is a bishop after all."
"Well, upon my word, my lady, I agree with Meredith," said Lord Lufton.—"It must have been good fun. As it did happen, you know,—as the church was doomed to the disgrace, I should like to have heard it."
"I know you would have been shocked, Ludovic."
"I should have got over that in time, mother. It would have been like a bull fight I suppose, horrible to see no doubt, but extremely interesting—And Harold Smith, Mark; what did he do all the while?"
"It didn't take so very long, you know," said Robarts.
"And the poor bishop," said Lady Meredith; "how did he look? I really do pity him."
"Well, he was asleep, I think."
"What, slept through it all?" said Sir George.
"It awakened him; and then he jumped up and said something."
"What, out loud too?"
"Only one word or so."
"What a disgraceful scene!" said Lady Lufton. "To those who remember the good old man who was in the diocese before him it is perfectly shocking. He confirmed you, Ludovic, and you ought to remember him. It was over at Barchester, and you went and lunched with him afterwards."
"I do remember; and especially this, that I never ate such tarts in my life, before or since. The old man particularly called my attention to them, and seemed remarkably pleased that I concurred in his sentiments. There are no such tarts as those going in the palace now, I'll be bound."
"Mrs. Proudie will be very happy to do her best for you if you will go and try," said Sir George.
"I beg that he will do no such thing," said Lady Lufton, and that was the only severe word she said about any of Mark's visitings.
