He did not think of the long distance before him for the first hour of his journey.

He had had his victory, and the remembrance of that braced his nerves and gave elasticity to his sinews, and he went stalking along the road with rapid strides, muttering to himself from time to time as he went along some word about Mrs.Proudie and her distaff.

Mr.Thumble would not, he thought, come to him again,--not, at any rate, till the assizes were drawing near.

And he had resolved what he would do then.

When the day of his trial was near, he would himself write to the bishop, and beg that provision might be made for his church, in the event of the verdict going against him.