"If I don’t succeed, you may go again if you like," he said. And that very afternoon he went to Liverpool Street and took the train for Spilsborough to call on the bishop. "My dear Bradstock, I am delighted to see you," said his lordship. "I presume you, too, have come here about Penelope?" "I have," said Bradstock, "every one does." "Did young Bob tell you all about the peculiar occurrences which took place here only lately? They were quite remarkable." Bradstock agreed that they were remarkable. "A duel on the dean’s grass, now! Who would have thought of that but a Frenchman? Have you seen the marquis lately, and that very agreeable financier, the American? I was much grieved not to be able to ask him to dinner, owing to his sudden departure. He showed considerable skill in grasping the essentials of the situation, for, when the marquis, who was literally foaming at the mouth, offered him the choice of swords in a violent but perfectly gentlemanly way, he chose both of them, and put them under his arm. It is not every one who could have displayed such readiness in preventing violence. One would not have expected it in an American, for I understand disorder and disturbances leading to bloodshed are quite common even in Washington." "I have frequently seen most bloodthirsty duels behind the Capitol during the sessions of Congress," said Bradstock, gravely. "Ah, so I understand," replied the bishop. "But is there no news of dear Penelope?" "Come, bishop, let us be frank," said Bradstock. "Have you no idea whom she has married?" The gentle bishop looked much surprised. "I? My dear Bradstock, I haven’t the least idea. But I gather that both the gentlemen I interrupted the other day claim to be her husband, to say nothing of many others whom I have not yet set eyes on." "And you have no notion where she is?" The bishop lifted his hands. "I think she must be near this place," he said. "I consider there can be no doubt of that, owing to matters with which Bob made me acquainted. By the way, I think this young Bob a very remarkable boy, Bradstock." "So do I, bishop," said Bradstock. "A very remarkable boy. The dean, who saw very little of him, came to that conclusion. He said he would be an ornament to the House of Lords, or the biggest young rip that ever disgraced it." "Your dean must be a clever man," said Bradstock. "Do not call him my dean," replied the bishop. "He is the cathedral’s dean, and very difficult to handle. However, he is said to be clever, and I dare say is clever, especially about grass and a choir and things material. But, as I was going on to say, I consider it quite easy to find out where Penelope is, provided we go about it skilfully. I cannot but remember that I christened her, and I still take an interest in her." "How do you propose to discover her whereabouts?" asked Bradstock. "She sends telegrams from our Spilsborough post-office, does she not?" "Yes," said Bradstock.