"Don't be a fool! But, if there is, I shall take that matter into my own hands. He can do what he pleases with me, and I can't help myself; but I shan't let him or anybody do what they please with my baby. I know what I'm about in such matters a great deal better than he does. I've no doubt he's a very clever man in Parliament; but he doesn't seem to me to understand anything else."
Alice was making some very wise speech in answer to this, when Lady Glencora interrupted her.
"Mr. Grey wouldn't make himself so troublesome, I'm quite sure." Then Alice held her tongue.
When the first consternation arising from the news had somewhat subsided,--say in a fortnight from the day in which Mr. Palliser was made so triumphant,--and when tidings had been duly sent to the Duke, and an answer from his Grace had come, arrangements were made for the return of the party to England. The Duke's reply was very short:--

I shall take that matter into my own hands. He can do what he pleases with me; but I shan't let him or anybody else do what they please with my baby. I know what I'm about in such matters a great deal better than he does. I've no doubt he's a very clever man in Parliament; but he doesn't seem to me to understand anything else. Mr. Grey wouldn't make himself so troublesome, I'm quite sure."
Alice held her tongue.
About a fortnight after the first consternation of the news, arrangements were made for their return to England. Mr. Palliser had written to the Duke of Omnium, and had this short reply:
