But Mr.Crawley seemed to be disposed to keep himself in the background, and therefore she could speak.

"I hope your wife and children are well, Mr.Crawley," she said.
"Thank you, madam, my children are well, and Mrs.Crawley suffers no special ailment at present." "That is much to be thankful for, Mr.Crawley." Whether he were or were not thankful for such mercies as these was no business of the bishop or of the bishop's wife.

That was between him and his God.

So he would not even bow to this civility, but sat with his head erect, and with a great frown on his heavy brow.
Then the bishop rose from his chair to speak, intending to take up a position on the rug.

But as he did so Mr.Crawley, who had seated himself on an intimation that he was expected to sit down, rose also, and the bishop found that he would thus lose his expected vantage.
"Will you not be seated, Mr.Crawley ?" said the bishop.