"It is true, Duke. I must ask you to listen to me now, and I must tell you what I would not willingly tell to any man." As Mr. Palliser said this a look of agony came over his face. There are men who can talk easily of all their most inmost matters, but he was not such a man. It went sorely against the grain with him to speak of the sorrow of his home, even to such a friend as the Duke; but it was essentially necessary to him that he should justify himself.
"Upon my word," said the Duke, "I can't understand that there should be any reason strong enough to make you throw your party over."
"I have promised to take my wife abroad."

"It is true, Duke. I must ask you to listen to me now, and I must tell you what I would not willingly tell to any man." As Mr. Palliser said this a look of agony came over his face. He was not a man who could talk easily of inmost matters; but it was essential to justify himself.
"Upon my word," said the Duke, "I can't understand that there should be any reason strong enough to make you throw your party over."
"I have promised to take my wife abroad, at once."
