I am very sure that he will never do so by my advice.

But when there comes a question of inhibiting a clergyman who has committed himself as this clergyman unfortunately has done, then I say that that clergyman ought to be inhibited." The bishop walked up and down the room throughout the whole of this speech, but gradually his steps became quicker, and his turns became shorter.
"And now here is Christmas Day upon us, and what is to be done ?" With these words Mrs.Proudie finished her speech.
"Mr.Thumble," said the bishop, "perhaps you had better now retire.
I am very sorry that you should have had so thankless and so disagreeable a task." "Why should Mr.Thumble retire ?" asked Mrs.Proudie.
"I think it better," said the bishop.

"Mr.Thumble, good night." Then Mr.Thumble did retire, and Mrs.Proudie stood forth in her full panoply of armour, silent and awful, with her helmet erect, and vouchsafed no recognition whatever of the parting salutation with which Mr.Thumble greeted her.

"My dear, the truth is, you do not understand the matter," said the bishop as soon as the door was closed.

"You do not know how limited is my power." "Bishop, I understand it a great deal better than some people; and I understand also what is due to myself and the manner in which I ought to be treated by you in the presence of the subordinate clergy of the diocese.