Zbc IRew 5obn IRussell 331 



to himself, Froude suspected that such an event might 

 occur, and at once set to work to frustrate the bishop's 

 design. He stationed a signalman within hail of his 

 house on the only road leading to it from Tiverton, 

 with orders if he saw a chaise and pair travelling 

 towards the vicarage to hasten and give the alarm. 

 Accordingly, when the bishop did appear, Froude and 

 his household were not only apprised of his approach, 

 but duly prepared for his reception. 



* Can I see Mr Froude ? ' inquired his lordship, in 

 that mild tone which he habitually adopted when he 

 meant to carry his point. ' Be good enough to say the 

 Bishop of Exeter wishes to speak to him.' 



' Please to walk in, my lord,' replied the old house- 

 keeper, Jane, who had gone to the door. ' Mr Froude 

 is at home, but is up abed wi' some ailment or 

 other.' 



' Nothing serious, I hope,' said the bishop, taking 

 a seat in the state apartment ; ' and, if so, I daresay 

 he would not object to see me at his bedside.' 



Jane paused for a moment, and then, with some 

 hesitation, replied : ' Perhaps not, my lord ; leastwise, 

 if you beant afeard o' goin' there. 'Tis a faver of 

 some sort, but I can't mind what the doctor call'th it' 



The bishop cocked his ear, and looked uneasy. ' A 

 fever, did you say ? Rheumatic, perhaps, from ex- 

 posure to wet ? ' 



* No. I've got that myself bad. Something a deal 

 worse, I reckon.' 



' Not scarlet fever, I hope ? ' 



The housekeeper shook her head. ' Worse than that, 

 my lord.' 



