Status Updates From Framley Parsonage (Annotate...

(...) It was, then, a positive fact that, in punishment for his weakness in having signed that bill, he would have to pay not only four hundred pounds but four hundred pounds with interest, expenses of renewal, commission, and bill stamps. Yes; he had certainly got among the Philistines during that visit of his to the duke. (...)

(...) Mark considered the proposal wistfully. He would fain have joined the supper party had he dared; but he, like many others of his cloth, had the fear of Mrs Proudie before his eyes. A very merry supper they had; but poor Mr Harold Smith was not the merriest of the party.

When Mark went to bed, his mind was still set against going to the duke's; nevertheless, he did feel it was a pity he should not do so. After all, was it necessary that he should obey Lady Lufton in all things?