
measure your actions by, sir. And I again call upon you to enter into
satisfactory explanations concerning the scandals against you, or else to
withdraw from posts in which we at any rate decline you as a colleague. I say,
sir, we decline to co-operate with a man whose character is not cleared from
infamous lights cast upon it, not only by reports but by recent actions.«
    »Allow me, Mr. Hawley,« said the chairman; and Mr. Hawley, still fuming,
bowed half impatiently, and sat down with his hands thrust deep in his pockets.
    »Mr. Bulstrode, it is not desirable, I think, to prolong the present
discussion,« said Mr. Thesiger, turning to the pallid trembling man; »I must so
far concur with what has fallen from Mr. Hawley in expression of a general
feeling, as to think it due to your Christian profession that you should clear
yourself, if possible, from unhappy aspersions. I for my part should be willing
to give you full opportunity and hearing. But I must say that your present
attitude is painfully inconsistent with those principles which you have sought
to identify yourself with, and for the honour of which I am bound to care. I
recommend you at present, as your clergyman, and one who hopes for your
reinstatement in respect, to quit the room, and avoid further hindrance to
business.«
    Bulstrode, after a moment's hesitation, took his hat from the floor and
slowly rose, but he grasped the corner of the chair so totteringly that Lydgate
felt sure there was not strength enough in him to walk away without support.
What could he do? He could not see a man sink close to him for want of help. He
rose and gave his arm to Bulstrode, and in that way led him out of the room; yet
this act, which might have been one of gentle duty and pure compassion, was at
this moment unspeakably bitter to him. It seemed as if he were putting his
sign-manual to that association of himself with Bulstrode, of which he now saw
the full meaning as it must have presented itself to other minds. He now felt
the conviction that this man who was leaning tremblingly on his arm, had given
him the thousand pounds as a bribe, and that somehow the treatment of Raffles
had been tampered with from an evil motive. The inferences were closely linked
enough: the town knew of the loan, believed it to be a bribe, and believed that
he took it as a bribe.
    Poor Lydgate, his mind struggling
