of St Peter's, Mr. Bulstrode, and our friend Mr. Brooke of
Tipton, who had lately allowed himself to be put on the board of directors in
his turn, but had never before attended, his attendance now being due to Mr.
Bulstrode's exertions. Lydgate was the only person still expected.
    Every one now sat down, Mr. Bulstrode presiding, pale and self-restrained as
usual. Mr. Thesiger, a moderate evangelical, wished for the appointment of his
friend Mr. Tyke, a zealous able man, who, officiating at a chapel of ease, had
not a cure of souls too extensive to leave him ample time for the new duty. It
was desirable that chaplaincies of this kind should be entered on with a fervent
intention: they were peculiar opportunities for spiritual influence; and while
it was good that a salary should be allotted, there was the more need for
scrupulous watching lest the office should be perverted into a mere question of
salary. Mr. Thesiger's manner had so much quiet propriety that objectors could
only simmer in silence.
    Mr. Brooke believed that everybody meant well in the matter. He had not
himself attended to the affairs of the Infirmary, though he had a strong
interest in whatever was for the benefit of Middlemarch, and was most happy to
meet the gentlemen present on any public question - »any public question, you
know,« Mr. Brooke repeated, with his nod of perfect understanding. »I am a good
deal occupied as a magistrate, and in the collection of documentary evidence,
but I regard my time as being at the disposal of the public - and, in short, my
friends have convinced me that a chaplain with a salary - a salary, you know -
is a very good thing, and I am happy to be able to come here and vote for the
appointment of Mr. Tyke, who, I understand, is an unexceptionable man, apostolic
and eloquent and everything of that kind - and I am the last man to withhold my
vote - under the circumstances, you know.«
    »It seems to me that you have been crammed with one side of the question,
Mr. Brooke,« said Mr. Frank Hawley, who was afraid of nobody, and was a Tory
suspicious of electioneering intentions. »You don't seem to know that one of the
worthiest men we have has been doing duty as chaplain here for years without
pay, and that Mr. Tyke is proposed to supersede him.«
    »Excuse me, Mr. Hawley,« said Mr. Bulstrode