His friend, Dean Arabin, was to be home before that time, and the idea had occurred to him of asking the dean to see to this; but now the other would be the more independent course, and the better.

And there was a matter as to which he was not altogether well pleased with the dean, although he was so conscious of his own peculiarities as to know that he could hardly trust himself for a judgment.

But, at any rate, he would apply to the bishop,--to the bishop whom he had just left prostrate in his palace,--when the time of his trial should be close at hand.
Full of such thoughts as these he went along almost gaily, nor felt the fatigue of the road till he had covered the first five miles out of Barchester.

It was nearly four o'clock, and the thick gloom of the winter evening was making itself felt.

And then he began to be fatigued.