Der Praefekt

dear,” said he naïvely, “if I waited till I got to Barchester, I
    might, perhaps, be prevented.”
     
    “But surely you would not wish to offend the bishop?” sagte sie.
     
    “God forbid!  The bishop is not apt to take offence, and knows me too
    well to take in bad part anything that I may be called on to do.”
     
    “But, papa—”
     
    “Susan,” said he, “my mind on this subject is made up; it is not
    without much repugnance that I act in opposition to the advice of such
    men as Sir Abraham Haphazard and the archdeacon; but in this matter
    I can take no advice, I cannot alter the resolution to which I have
    kommen. “
     
    “But two days, papa—”
     
    “No;—nor can I delay it.  You may add to my present unhappiness by
    pressing me, but you cannot change my purpose; it will be a comfort
    to me if you will let the matter rest”: and, dipping his pen into the
    inkstand, he fixed his eyes intently on the paper.
     
    There was something in his manner which taught his daughter to
    perceive that he was in earnest; she had at one time ruled supreme in
    her father’s house, but she knew that there were moments when, mild
    and meek as he was, he would have his way, and the present was an
    occasion of the sort.  She returned, therefore, to her knitting, and
    very shortly after left the room.
     
    The warden was now at liberty to compose his letter, and, as it was
    characteristic of the man, it shall be given at full length. Die
    official letter, which, when written, seemed to him to be too formally
    cold to be sent alone to so dear a friend, was accompanied by a
    private note; and both are here inserted.
     
    The letter of resignation ran as follows:—
     
     
    CHAPTER HOTEL, ST.  PAUL’s,
                            LONDON,
                            August, 18—
     
    My LORD BISHOP,
     
     
        It is with the greatest pain that I feel myself constrained
        to resign into your Lordship’s hands the wardenship of the
        hospital at Barchester, which you so kindly conferred upon
        me, now nearly twelve years since.
     
    I need not explain the circumstances which have made this
        step appear necessary to me.  You are aware that a question
        has arisen as to the right of the warden to the income which
        has been allotted to the wardenship; it has seemed to me
        that this right is not well made out, and I hesitate to
        incur the risk of taking an income to which my legal claim
        appears doubtful.
     
    The office of precentor of the cathedral is, as your
        Lordship is aware, joined to that of the warden; that is to
        say, the precentor has for many years been the warden of the
        hospital; there is, however, nothing to make the junction of
        the two offices necessary, and, unless you or the dean and
        chapter object to such an arrangement, I would wish to keep
        the precentorship.  The income of this office will now be
        necessary to me; indeed, I do not know why I should be
        ashamed to say that I should have difficulty in supporting
        myself without it.
     
    Your Lordship, and such others as you may please to consult
        on the matter, will at once see that my resignation of
        the wardenship need offer not the slightest bar to its
        occupation by another person.  I am thought in the wrong by
        all those whom I have consulted in the matter; I have very
        little but an inward and an unguided conviction of my own
        to bring me to this step, and I shall, indeed, be hurt to
        find that any slur is thrown on the preferment which your
        kindness bestowed on me, by my resignation of it.  I, at
        any rate for one, shall look on any successor whom you may
        appoint as enjoying a clerical situation of the highest
        respectability, and one to which your Lordship’s nomination
        gives an indefeasible right.
     
    I cannot finish this official letter without again thanking
        your Lordship for all your great kindness, and I beg to
        subscribe myself—
     
    Your Lordship’s most obedient servant,
     
    SEPTIMUS HARDING,
     
    Warden of Barchester Hospital,
                            and Precentor of the Cathedral.
     
     
    He then wrote the following private note:—
     
     
    My DEAR BISHOP,
     
    I cannot send you the accompanying official letter