What was Mr. Palliser to do? He did not know whether, in accordance with the rules of the world in which he lived, he ought to pay it, or ought to leave it; and certainly the landlord could not tell him. Then he thought of his wife. He could not go back to his wife without having done something; so, as a first measure, he paid the bill. The landlord's eyes glittered, and he receipted it in the most becoming manner.
"Should he now send up the bottle of Sauterne?"--but to this Mr. Palliser demurred.
"And to whom should the receipted bill be given?" Mr. Palliser thought that the landlord had better keep it himself for a while.

Mr. Palliser did not know whether, in the eyes of the world, he ought to pay it, or leave it. Then he thought of his wife. He could not go back to her without having done something; so he paid the bill.
"And to whom should the receipt be given?" asked the landlord.
Mr. Palliser thought that the landlord had better keep it himself for a while. 