"Very well," said Mr. Palliser, mildly. And then, after a short pause, he added, "As that is settled, perhaps you would have no objection to ask Mrs. Marsham also?"
"Won't she probably be engaged?"
"No; I think not," said Mr. Palliser. And then he added, being ashamed of the tinge of falsehood of which he would otherwise have been guilty, "I know she is not engaged."
"She expects to come, then?" said Lady Glencora.
"I have not asked her, if you mean that, Glencora. Had I done so, I should have said so. I told her that I did not know what your engagements were."

"Very well," said Mr. Palliser, mildly. After a short pause, he added, "As that is settled, perhaps you would have no objection to ask Mrs. Marsham also?"
"Won't she be engaged?"
"No; I think not," said Mr. Palliser. And then he added, so as to avoid a falsehood, "I know she is not engaged."
"She expects to come, then?" said Lady Glencora.
"I have not asked her. If I had, I should have said so."
