I am, however, inclined to believe that there was nothing particular about the mare. Horses always catch the temperament of their riders, and when a man wishes to break his neck, he will generally find a horse willing to assist him in appearance, but able to save him in the performance. Burgo, at any rate, did not break his neck, and appeared at the dinner-table in a better humour than that which he had displayed in the morning.
On the day appointed Mr. Palliser reached Monkshade. He was, in a manner, canvassing for the support of the Liberal party, and it would not have suited him to show any indifference to the invitation of so influential a man as Sir Cosmo. Sir Cosmo had a little party of his own in the House, consisting of four or five other respectable country gentlemen, who troubled themselves little with thinking, and who mostly had bald heads. Sir Cosmo was a man with whom it was quite necessary that such an aspirant as Mr. Palliser should stand well, and therefore Mr. Palliser came to Monkshade, although Lady Glencora was unable to accompany him.
"We are so sorry," said Lady Monk. "We have been looking forward to having Lady Glencora with us beyond everything."

Burgo appeared at the dinner-table in a better humour than in the morning.
On the day appointed Mr. Palliser reached Monkshade. He could not have declined the invitation of so influential a man as Sir Cosmo, who had a little party of his own in the House, consisting of four or five other respectable and bald-headed country gentlemen. Therefore Mr. Palliser came to Monkshade, although Lady Glencora was unable to accompany him.
"We are so sorry," said Lady Monk. "We have been looking forward to having Lady Glencora with us. 