Chapter Chapters 41-53 of Barchester Towers - Study Guide by Anthony Trollope

The archdeacon, still unsure of the truth behind the rumours of Slope and Eleanor, feels conflicting emotions when he hears on visiting Harding, of the engagement, but is glad of the discomfort it will surely cause Slope. Harding manages to persuade the archdeacon that it would be good if Arabin were to become dean. He and Harding head for Plumstead to consult Gwynne and almost run over Slope, who despite looking as smug as ever, has actually just got his marching orders from the bishop. The archdeacon visits Mrs. Quiverful at the hospital and communicates his good wishes towards her and her husband. He then meets Arabin between St. Ewold's and Plumstead, congratulates him and insists that he must preside at their wedding at Plumstead to make amends for his unfair judgement of Eleanor.

Chapter 51: Mr. Slope bids farewell to the palace and its inhabitants.

Slope receives a letter from Fitzwhiggin to the effect that he will not be dean. He then writes a letter to a rich sugar-refiner's wife in London who has evangelical leanings, hoping that she might become his new patron. The bishop summons him and reprimands him feebly, while Mrs. Proudie censures his behaviour with Signora Neroni. On being dismissed he threatens to publicise how much Proudie is in thrall to his wife, but she surmises correctly that he will not want to let anything relating to his time in Barchester to be published. He is offered and refuses the post of curate of Puddingdale and leaves for London. We then hear that he later married the widowed wife of the sugar-refiner and became an important clergyman. In the bishop's palace all is peaceful as Proudie, even though he is elected to the Lords, has learnt that total submission to his wife in all things is for the best.

Chapter 52: The new dean takes possession of the deanery, and the new warden of the hospital.

Harding and the archdeacon go to Oxford and manage to enlist the help of Gwynne in getting Arabin made dean. They then go to London and with a little difficulty succeed in making the necessary arrangements for the appointment with the government departments concerned. Harding and the archdeacon return to Barchester and invite Arabin to come and see them in the Deanery, where they tell him of his appointment. Harding is at last persuaded to live with Eleanor and Arabin in the Deanery. Harding then as an act of good will personally introduces Quiverful to the old men of Hiram's hospital.

Chapter 53: Conclusion.

The archdeacon marries Arabin and Eleanor, who then go abroad for a few months. The Proudies leave the dean and chapter to their own devices. The archdeacon is much relaxed now that Slope is gone. Eleanor becomes more high church after her marriage, something on which she and her sister somewhat differ, although Susan can disregard it as she is so glad that her sister married Arabin and not Slope. Arabin recommences his scholarly works and the Stanhopes go back to Italy, while Harding continues assiduously to carry out his work as precentor of the cathedral and pastor of St. Cuthbert's.