During their journey home Mr. Palliser had by no means kept his seat opposite to Lady Glencora with constancy. He had soon found that it was easier to talk to Mr. Grey than to his wife, and, consequently, the two ladies had been much together, as had also the two gentlemen. What the ladies discussed may be imagined. One was about to become a wife and the other a mother, and that was to be their fate after each had made up her mind that no such lot was to be hers. It may, however, be presumed that for every one word that Alice spoke Lady Glencora spoke ten. The two men, throughout these days of close intimacy, were intent upon politics. Mr. Palliser, who may be regarded as the fox who had lost his tail,--the tail being, in this instance, the comfort of domestic privacy,--was eager in recommending his new friend to cut off his tail also. "Your argument would be very well," said he, "if men were to be contented to live for themselves only."
"Your argument would be very well," said the other, "if it were used to a man who felt that he could do good to others by going into public life. But it is wholly inefficacious if it recommends public life simply or chiefly because a man may gratify his own ambition by public services."

During their journey home Mr. Palliser had soon found that it was easier to talk to Mr. Grey than to his wife, and, consequently, the two ladies were much together, as were the two gentlemen. What the ladies discussed may be imagined. One was about to become a wife and the other a mother, after each had made up her mind that neither thing would happen. It may, however, be presumed that for every word that Alice spoke Lady Glencora spoke ten.
The two men were intent upon politics. Mr. Palliser was eager in recommending public life to his new friend.
"Your argument would be very well," said Mr. Grey, "for a man who felt that he could do good to others by going into public life. But it is wholly ineffective if it recommends public life simply because a man may gratify his own ambition by public services."
