The Widow Barnaby. Vol. 3 (of 3)Trollope, Frances Milton
General
The Widow Barnaby. Vol. 3 (of 3)
Trollope, Frances Milton
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; Social classes -- England -- Fiction; Widows -- Fiction
"That, sir, will I, and most joyfully," said Mr. Dellant, rising; "for I
neither do nor can feel the shadow of a doubt, that our beneficent
objects in despatching this mission will be more forwarded by this
appointment than by any other, it is probable--gentlemen, I might say
POSSIBLE--we could make--for where, I would ask, shall we find another
Mrs Barnaby? May we not say, in the language of scripture, that she is a
help meet for him, even for the Reverend Patrick O'Donagough, whom we
have chosen."
Mr. Newbirth followed on the same side, giving many unanswerable reasons
for believing that nothing which the stiff-necked, unconverted, obsolete
ministers of the Church of England could do for the predestined army of
saints at present located at Sidney, could approach in utility and
saving efficacy of absolving grace, to what might be hoped from the
ministry of Mr. O'Donagough, assisted by the lady he was so happy as to
have engaged to be his wife.
"It gives me the most heart-felt pleasure, gentlemen," he continued,
"that my little humble drawing-room should have been made the scene of
this happy election. How many souls, now most probably grovelling in the
lowest depths of vice, will have places secured them upon the highest
seats of heaven, by your work, gentlemen; begun, continued, and ended
within this one propitious hour!... I would now propose that we do all
stand up and sing a hymn to the glory of sinners made perfect.... Next,
that we do all kneel down to hear and join in an awakening prayer from
our new missionary; and, finally, that we walk into Mrs. Newbirth's back
drawing-room, there to partake of such creature comforts as she in her
care shall have provided."
This speech was also received with great applause. Some few pleasant and
holy remarks and observations were made by the other gentlemen present,
and all things proceeded to the happy finale suggested by their host, in
the most amicable and satisfactory manner, so that before Mr.
O'Donagough rose to escort Mrs. Barnaby to the coach which was to convey
her to Half Moon Street, he was given to understand, on the indefeasible
authority of Mr. Littleton, that he might consider himself already as
the anti-work missionary elect, and might set about the preparations for
his marriage and subsequent departure without farther uncertainty or
delay.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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