Barchester Towers. Anthony Trollope

himself to pray for his father’s life, but now that life was over, every minute counted. However, he did not want to appear unfeeling, so he allowed Mr Harding to lead him downstairs to the sitting room. Then, when a few more moments had passed, he said, ‘We should arrange for a telegraph message to be sent to the prime minister immediately.’

      ‘Do you think it necessary?’ asked Mr Harding, a little surprised. He did not know how high the archdeacon’s hopes of being appointed bishop were.

      ‘I do,’ replied Dr Grantly. ‘Anything might happen if we delay. Will you send it?’

      ‘I? Oh, certainly. Only I don’t know exactly what to say.’

      Dr Grantly sat down and wrote out this message:

      ‘By electric telegraph, for the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, London. The Bishop of Barchester is dead. Message sent by Mr Septimus Harding.’

      ‘There,’ he said, ‘just take it to the telegraph office. Here’s the money,’ and he pulled a coin out of his pocket.

      Mr Harding felt very much like a messenger, but he accepted the piece of paper and the coin. ‘But you’ve put my name at the bottom, archdeacon,’ he said.

      Dr Grantly hesitated. How could he sign such a note himself? ‘Well, yes,’ he said, ‘there should be the name of some clergyman, and who more suitable than an old friend like yourself? But I beg you, my dear Mr Harding, not to lose any time.’

      Mr Harding got as far as the door of the room, when he suddenly remembered the news which he had come to tell his son-in-law, and which the bishop’s death had driven from his mind. ‘But archdeacon,’ he said, turning back, ‘I forgot to tell you – the government has fallen!’

      ‘Fallen!’ repeated the archdeacon, in a voice which clearly expressed his anxiety. After a moment’s thought he said, ‘We had better send the message anyway. Do it at once, my dear friend – a few minutes’ time is of the greatest importance.’

      Mr Harding went out and sent the message. Within thirty minutes of leaving Barchester, it arrived on the prime minister’s desk in London. The great man read it, then sent it on to the man who was to take his place. In this way our unfortunate friend the archdeacon lost his chance of becoming a bishop.