Page:Paul Clifford Vol 3.djvu/312

304 "Those hardened wretches have such a great deal to say," mumbled the Bishop sourly.

"True!" said Mauleverer; "a religious rogue would have had some bowels for the state of the church esurient!"

"Is it really true, Mauleverer," asked the Earl of, "that Brandon is to be Chancellor of the Exchequer—very unusual in his station, is it not?"

"Mansfield's a precedent, I fancy!" said Mauleverer. "God! how hungry I am!"

A groan from the Bishop echoed the complaint.

"I suppose it would be against all decorum to sit down to dinner without him?" said Lord.

"Why, really, I fear so," returned Mauleverer. "But our health—our health is at stake: we will only wait five minutes more. By Jove, there's the carriage! I beg your pardon for my heathen oath, my Lord Bishop."

"I forgive you!" said the good Bishop, smiling.

The party thus engaged in colloquy were stationed at a window opening on the gravel road, along which the Judge's carriage was now seen rapidly approaching; this window was but a few yards from the porch, and had been partially