"Sir!" said Mrs. Proudie.
"Yet I can foresee the probability that a jury may discover me to have been guilty of theft."
"Of course the jury will do so," said Mrs. Proudie.
"Should such verdict be given, then, my lord, your interference will be legal, proper, and necessary. And you will find that, even if it be within my power to oppose obstacles to your lordship's authority, I will oppose no such obstacle. There is, I believe, no appeal in criminal cases."
"None at all," said Mrs. Proudie. "There is no appeal against your bishop. You should have learned that before."
"But till that time shall come, my lord, I shall hold my own at Hogglestock as you hold your own here at Barchester. Nor have you more power to turn me out of my pulpit by your mere voice, than I have to turn you out of your throne by mine. If you doubt me, my lord, your lordship's ecclesiastical court is open to you. Try it there."
"You defy us, then?" said Mrs. Proudie.
"My lord, I grant your authority as bishop to be great, but even a bishop can only act as the law allows him."
"God forbid that I should do more," said the bishop.
"Sir, you will find that your wicked threats will fall back upon your own head," said Mrs. Proudie.