Such advice coming from a dominant bishop to a clergyman with a submissive mind, has in it very much of authority.

But Bishop Proudie knew that Mr.Crawley was not a clergyman with a submissive mind, and he feared that he himself, as regarded from Mr.Crawley's point of view, was not a dominant bishop.
And yet he could only act by advice.

"I will write to him," said the bishop, "and will explain to him that as he is circumstanced he should not appear in the reading desk." "Of course he must not appear in the reading desk.

That scandal must at any rate be inhibited." Now the bishop did not at all like the use of the word inhibited, understanding well that Mrs.Proudie intended it to be understood as implying some episcopal command against which there should be no appeal;--but he let it pass.
"I will write to him, my dear, to-night." "And Mr.Thumble can go over with the letter the first thing in the morning." "Will not the post be better ?" "No, bishop; certainly not." "He would get it sooner, if I write to-night, my dear." "In either case he will get it to-morrow morning.

An hour or two will not signify, and if Mr.Thumble takes it himself we shall know how it is received.