"They say he is led immensely by his wife, and that she is very clever.

"They say he is led by his wife, and that she is very clever.


But I mean this chiefly, Alice, that I do hope I shall have all your sympathy in any political career that I may make, and all your assistance also."

But what I really mean, Alice, is that I do hope I shall have your sympathy in any political career, and your assistance also."


My assistance, I fear, would be worthless."


"By no means worthless, Alice; not if I see you take that place in the world which I hope to see you fill.


Do you think women nowadays have no bearing upon the politics of the times?

do you think women nowadays have no bearing upon politics?"


In answer to which Alice shook her head; but, nevertheless, she felt in some way pleased and flattered.


George left her without saying a word more about her marriage prospects past or future, and Alice as she went to bed felt glad that this explanation between them had been made.

George left, and Alice as she went to bed felt glad that this explanation between them had been made.


I am not going to describe the Vavasors' Swiss tour.


"Six Weeks in the Bernese Oberland, by party of three," would have but very small chance of success in the literary world at present, and I should consider myself to be dishonest if I attempt to palm off such matter on the public in the pages of a novel.

to palm off "Six Weeks in the Bernese Oberland" in the pages of a novel.


It is true that I have just returned from Switzerland, and should find such a course of writing very convenient.


But I dismiss the temptation, strong as it is.


_Retro age, Satanas._ No living man or woman any longer wants to be told anything of the Grimsell or of the Gemmi.


Ludgate Hill is now-a-days more interesting than the Jungfrau.


The Vavasors were not very energetic on their tour.


As George had said, they had gone out for pleasure and not for work.

, having gone for pleasure and not for work.


They went direct to Interlaken and then hung about between that place and Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, It delighted him to sit still on some outer bench, looking at the mountains, with a cigar in his mouth, and it seemed to delight them to be with him.

They went direct to Interlaken and then hung about between that place and Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, It delighted George to sit on some bench, looking at the mountains, with a cigar in his mouth, and it seemed to delight them to be with him.


Much that Mr. Grey prophesied had come true.


The two girls were ministers to him, instead of having him as their slave.


"What fine fellows those Alpine club men think themselves," he said on one of these occasions, "and how thoroughly they despise the sort of enjoyment I get from mountains.

"What fine fellows those Alpine club men think themselves," he said on one of these occasions.


"I don't see why either need be mistaken," said Alice.


"They rob the mountains of their poetry, which is or should be their greatest charm.

"They rob the mountains of their poetry.


Mont Blanc can have no mystery for a man who has been up it half a dozen times.


It's like getting behind the scenes at a ballet, or making a conjuror explain his tricks."


"Yes; the exercise is very fine;--but that avoids the question."


I believe that the most of them simply walk up the mountain and down again.


But if they did, that avoids the question also.


The poetry and mystery of the mountains are lost to those who make themselves familiar with their details, not the less because such familiarity may have useful results.

The poetry and mystery of the mountains are lost to those who make themselves familiar with their details.


In this world things are beautiful only because they are not quite seen, or not perfectly understood.


Poetry is precious chiefly because it suggests more than it declares.


Look in there, through that valley, where you just see the distant little peak at the end.

Look through that valley, where you just see the distant little peak at the end.


Are you not dreaming of the unknown beautiful world that exists up there;--beautiful, as heaven is beautiful, because you know nothing of the reality?

Are you not dreaming of the unknown beautiful world that exists up there; beautiful because you know nothing of the reality?


If you make your way up there and back to-morrow, and find out all about it, do you mean to say that it will be as beautiful to you when you come back?"

If you travel up there and back tomorrow, and find out all about it, will it be as beautiful to you when you come back?"


After that they began to laugh at him and were very happy.

They began to laugh at him and were very happy.


I think that Mr. Grey was right in answering Alice's letter as he did; but I think that Lady Macleod was also right in saying that Alice should not have gone to Switzerland in company with George Vavasor.

I think that Mr. Grey was right in answering Alice's letter as he did; but I think that Lady Macleod was also right in saying that Alice should not have gone to Switzerland with George Vavasor.


A peculiar familiarity sprang up, which, had all its circumstances been known to Mr. Grey, would not have entirely satisfied him, even though no word was said which might in itself have displeased him.

A peculiar familiarity sprang up, which would not have entirely satisfied Mr. Grey, even though no word was said which might have displeased him - at least, during the first few weeks.


During the first weeks of their travelling no word was said which would have displeased him; but at last, when the time for their return was drawing nigh, when their happiness was nearly over, and that feeling of melancholy was coming on them which always pervades the last hours of any period that has been pleasant,--then words became softer than they had been, and references were made to old days,--allusions which never should have been permitted between them.

But at last, when the time for return was drawing near, when their happiness was nearly over, and that melancholy was coming on them which always pervades the last hours of any pleasant time - then unwise references were made to old days.


Alice had been very happy,--more happy perhaps in that she had been a joint minister with Kate to her cousin George's idle fantasies, than she would have been hurrying about with him as her slave.

Alice had been very happy, more happy perhaps as a joint minister to her cousin George's idle fantasies, than she would have been with him as her slave.


They had tacitly agreed to spoil him with comforts; and girls are always happier in spoiling some man than in being spoiled by men.

She and Kate had tacitly agreed to spoil him with comforts; and


And he had taken it all well, doing his despotism pleasantly, exacting much, but exacting nothing that was disagreeable.


And he had been amusing always, as Alice thought without any effort.

he had been amusing always, apparently without any effort.


But men and women, when they show themselves at their best, seldom do so without an effort.


If the object be near the heart the effort will be pleasant to him who makes it, and if it be made well, it will be hidden; but, not the less, will the effort be there.


George Vavasor had on the present occasion done his very best to please his cousin.

George Vavasor had done his very best to please his cousin.


They were sitting at Basle one evening in the balcony of the big hotel which overlooks the Rhine.

They were sitting at Basle one evening on the balcony of the big hotel which overlooks the Rhine.


The balcony runs the length of the house, and is open to all the company; but it is spacious, and little parties can be formed there with perfect privacy.


The swift broad Rhine runs underneath, rushing through from the bridge which here spans the river; and every now and then on summer evenings loud shouts come up from strong swimmers in the water, who are glorying in the swiftness of the current.

The swift broad river runs underneath, rushing through from the bridge; and on summer evenings shouts come up from strong swimmers, glorying in the swiftness of the current.


The three were sitting there, by themselves, at the end of the balcony.


Coffee was before them on a little table, and George's cigar, as usual, was in his mouth.

with their coffee on a little table, and George's cigar in his mouth.


"It's nearly all over," said he, after they had remained silent for some minutes.


"And I do think it has been a success," said Kate.

"I do think it has been a success," said Kate.


"I'll make your money all straight," said George.


"Indeed you'll do nothing of the kind," said Kate.

"You'll do nothing of the kind," said Kate.


It is such a great thing ever to have had six weeks' happiness, that the ruin is, in point of fact, a good speculation.

It is such a great thing to have had six weeks' happiness, that the ruin is a good investment.


Won't you vote, too, that we've done it well?"


"And now you've got to go home to John Grey and Cambridgeshire!


It's no wonder you should be melancholy."


That was the thought in Kate's mind, but she did not speak it out on this occasion.

That was the thought in Kate's mind, but she did not speak it aloud.


I like a person who will give a hearty meed of approbation."


"But I am giving the meed of approbation to myself."


"I like a person even to do that heartily," said Kate.


"Not that George and I are thankful for the compliment.


We are prepared to admit that we owe almost everything to you,--are we not, George?"

"We are prepared to admit that we owe almost everything to you, are we not, George?"


"Well, I am, and I expect to have something pretty said to me in return.


You are never cross, though you are often ferocious."


"But I haven't been once ferocious,--nor has George."

"But I haven't once been ferocious; nor has George."


"He would have been the most ungrateful man alive if he had," said Alice.


"We've done nothing since we've started but realize from him that picture in 'Punch' of the young gentleman at Jeddo who had a dozen ladies to wait upon him."


"And now he has got to go home to his lodgings, and wait upon himself again.


I believe girls always think that a bachelor in London has the happiest of all lives.

I believe girls always think that a bachelor in London has the happiest of lives.


It's because they think so that they generally want to put an end to the man's condition."

That's why they generally want to put an end to the man's condition."


"It's envy that makes us want to get married,--not love," said Kate.

"So it's envy that makes us want to get married," said Kate.


"It's the devil in some shape, as often as not," said he.


"With a man, marriage always seems to him to be an evil at the instant."

"With a man, marriage always seems to him to be an evil."


"Almost always;--but he does it, as he takes physic, because something worse will come if he don't.

"Almost always; but he does it, as he takes medicine, because something worse will come if he don't.


A man never likes having his tooth pulled out, but all men do have their teeth pulled out,--and they who delay it too long suffer the very mischief."

A man never likes having his tooth pulled, but all men do have teeth pulled, and those who delay it suffer the very mischief."


"I do like George's philosophy," said Kate, getting up from her chair as she spoke; "it is so sharp, and has such a pleasant acid taste about it; and then we all know that it means nothing.

"I do like George's philosophy," said Kate, getting up from her chair as she spoke; "it is so sharp, and pleasantly acid; and we all know that it means nothing.


Alice, I'm going up-stairs to begin the final packing."

Alice, I'm going upstairs to finish packing."


To tell the truth I'm only going into that man's room because he won't put up a single thing of his own decently.

To tell the truth I'm going into that man's room because he won't pack a single thing of his own decently.


We'll do ours, of course, when we go up to bed.


Whatever you disarrange to-night, Master George, you must rearrange for yourself to-morrow morning, for I promise I won't go into your room at five o'clock."

Whatever you disarrange tonight, Master George, you must rearrange for yourself tomorrow morning.


"How I do hate that early work," said George.


"I'll be down again very soon," said Kate.


"Then we'll take one turn on the bridge and go to bed."


Alice and George were left together sitting in the balcony.


They had been alone together before many times since their travels had commenced; but they both of them felt that there was something to them in the present moment different from any other period of their journey.

They had been alone together many times during their travels; but they both felt that there was something different


There was something that each felt to be sweet, undefinable, and dangerous.

now - something sweet, undefinable, and dangerous.


Alice had known that it would be better for her to go up-stairs with Kate; but Kate's answer had been of such a nature that had she gone she would have shown that she had some special reason for going.

Alice knew that it would be better for her to go upstairs with Kate; but she could have given no good reason why she needed to go.


Or why, indeed, should she entertain it?


Alice was seated quite at the end of the gallery, and Kate's chair was at her feet in the corner.


When Alice and Kate had seated themselves, the waiter had brought a small table for the coffee-cups, and George had placed his chair on the other side of that.

balcony, and George sat at the other side of the small coffee-table


So that Alice was, as it were, a prisoner.

, so that Alice was, as it were, a prisoner.


She could not slip away without some special preparation for going, and Kate had so placed her chair in leaving, that she must actually have asked George to move it before she could escape.


Nothing could be more lovely and enticing than the scene before her.


The night had come on, with quick but still unperceived approach, as it does in those parts; for the twilight there is not prolonged as it is with us more northern folk.


The night had come on, but there was a rising moon, which just sufficed to give a sheen to the water beneath her.

The night had come on quickly, but there was a rising moon, which gave a sheen to the water beneath her.


The air was deliciously soft;--of that softness which produces no sensation either of warmth or cold, but which just seems to touch one with loving tenderness, as though the unseen spirits of the air kissed one's forehead as they passed on their wings.

The air was deliciously soft, seeming to touch her with loving tenderness.


The Rhine was running at her feet, so near, that in the soft half light it seemed as though she might step into its ripple.

The Rhine was running at her feet, so near that in the soft half light it seemed as though she might step into its ripple.


The Rhine was running by with that delicious sound of rapidly moving waters, that fresh refreshing gurgle of the river, which is so delicious to the ear at all times.

Its refreshing gurgle was delicious to the ear.


If you be talking, it wraps up your speech, keeping it for yourselves, making it difficult neither to her who listens nor to him who speaks.


If you would sleep, it is of all lullabies the sweetest.


If you are alone and would think, it aids all your thoughts.


would not think,--if thinking be too painful,--it will dispel your sorrow, and give the comfort which music alone can give.


Alice felt that the air kissed her, that the river sang for her its sweetest song, that the moon shone for her with its softest light,--that light which lends the poetry of half-developed beauty to everything that it touches.

Alice felt that the air kissed her, that the river sang for her its sweetest song, that the moon shone for her with its softest light.


Nothing was said for some minutes after Kate's departure, and Alice was beginning to shake from her that half feeling of danger which had come over her.

Nothing was said for some minutes after Kate's departure, and Alice was beginning to shake off that half feeling of danger which had come over her.


Vavasor had sat back in his chair, leaning against the house, with his feet raised upon a stool; his arms were folded across his breast, and he seemed to have divided himself between his thoughts and his cigar.

Vavasor had sat back in his chair, his arms folded, smoking silently.


Alice was looking full upon the river, and her thoughts had strayed away to her future home among John Grey's flower-beds and shrubs; but the river, though it sang to her pleasantly, seemed to sing a song of other things than such a home as that,--a song full of mystery, as are all river songs when one tries to understand their words.

As Alice looked upon the river, her thoughts strayed to her future home among John Grey's flower-beds and shrubs; but the river seemed to sing a song of other things - a song full of mystery, as are all river songs.


"You ask me a question as though you were putting a pistol to my ear."


"I'm sorry the question was so unpleasant."


"I didn't say that it was unpleasant; but you asked it so suddenly!


The truth is, I didn't expect you to speak at all just then.


"But if it be not unpleasant,--when are you to be married?"


"Certainly not this summer, for the summer will be over when we reach home."


"Before the expiration of the ten years, I suppose.


Anything more exact than that I can't say."


"The idea of it,--the anticipation, You look forward with satisfaction to the kind of life you will lead at Nethercoats?

"The idea of it. You look forward with satisfaction to the life you will lead at Nethercoats?


Don't suppose I am saying anything against it, for I have no conception what sort of a place Nethercoats is.

I am not saying anything against it, for I don't know what sort of a place Nethercoats is.


On the whole I don't know that there is any kind of life better than that of an English country gentleman in his own place;--that is, if he can keep it up, and not live as the old squire does, in a state of chronic poverty."

On the whole there is no kind of life better than that of an English country gentleman in his own place; that is, if he can keep it up, and not live as my grandfather does, in a state of chronic poverty."


"Mr. Grey's place doesn't entitle him to be called a country gentleman."


"Oh, George, how you do cross-question one!


Of course I like it, or I shouldn't have accepted it."


But I quite acknowledge that I have no right to cross-question you.


If I ever had such right on the score of cousinship, I have lost it on the score of--; but we won't mind that, will we, Alice?"

If I ever had such right on the score of cousinship, I have lost it on the score of - but we won't mind that, will we, Alice?"


To this she at first made no answer, but he repeated the question.


They are passed, and as we are again friends and dear cousins the sting of them is gone."


It is for that reason, because it is so, that we may at last recur to them without danger.


If we regret nothing,--if neither of us has anything to regret, why not recur to them, and talk of them freely?"


It would drive me mad; and if I know aught of you, it would hardly leave you as calm as you are at present."

It would drive me mad; and if I know aught of you, it would hardly leave you as calm as you are now."


Then I suppose I ought to hold my tongue.


But, Alice, I shall never have the power of speaking to you again as I speak now.

But, Alice, I shall never be able to speak to you again as I speak now.


Since we have been out together, we have been dear friends; is it not so?"

On this trip, we have been dear friends; is it not so?"


"And shall we not always be dear friends?"


How can I really be your friend when you are the mistress of that man's house in Cambridgeshire?"

How can we, when you are the mistress of that man's house in Cambridgeshire?"


I truly beg your pardon if it has seemed so.


Let me say that gentleman's house;--for he is a gentleman."

Let me say that gentleman's house; for he is a gentleman."


"You could not have accepted him were he not so.


"But how can I be your friend when you are his wife?


I may still call you cousin Alice, and pat your children on the head if I chance to see them; and shall stop in the streets and shake hands with him if I meet him;--that is if my untoward fate does not induce him to cut my acquaintance;--but as for friendship, that will be over when you and I shall have parted next Thursday evening at London Bridge."

I may still call you cousin Alice, and pat your children on the head if I chance to see them; but as for friendship, that will be over when we part next Thursday at London Bridge."


Do you mean that you won't come to Queen Anne Street any more?"


This trip of ours has been very successful, Kate says.


"It has been very pleasant,--at least to me."

"It has been very pleasant - at least, to me."


"It has been very pleasant to me, also;--but the pleasure has had its alloy.

"It has been very pleasant to me, also; - but the pleasure has been mixed.


Alice, I have nothing to ask from you,--nothing."


"Anything that you should ask, I would do for you."


"Certainly; if you wish it you shall go."


He still held his foot against the chair which barred her passage, and did not attempt to rise as he must have done to make way for her passage out.

He did not attempt to rise and clear the way.


"Certainly you shall go to Kate, if you refuse to hear me.


But after all that has passed between us, after these six weeks of intimate companionship, I think you ought to listen to me.

"But after six weeks of companionship, I think you ought to listen to me.


Alice had commenced some attempt to rise, but she had again settled herself in her chair.

Alice had begun to stand, but again sank down in her chair and waited.


And now, when he paused for a moment, she made no further sign that she wished to escape, nor did she say a word to intimate her further wish that he should be silent.


"I am not going to make love to you," he said again.


"As for making love, as the word goes, that must be over between you and me.

"As for love, that must be over between you and me.


It has been made and marred, and cannot be remade."


It may exist, or it may have been expelled; but where it does not exist, it will never be brought back again."


"It should not be spoken of between you and me."

"It should not be spoken of between us."


"So, no doubt, any proper-going duenna would say, and so, too, little children should be told; but between you and me there can be no necessity for falsehood.


We have grown beyond our sugar-toothed ages, and are now men and women.


I perfectly understood your breaking away from me.


I understood you, and in spite of my sorrow knew that you were right.

, and in spite of my sorrow I knew that you were right."


I am not going to accuse or to defend myself; but I knew that you were right."


I did not understand you when you accepted Mr. Grey.


Against him I have not a whisper to make.


But, knowing you as I thought I did, I could not understand your loving such a man as him.

But I could not understand your loving such a man as him.


It was as though one who had lived on brandy should take himself suddenly to a milk diet,--and enjoy the change!

It was as though one who had lived on brandy should take himself suddenly to a milk diet!


But men who have lived on brandy can't make those changes very suddenly.

But men who have lived on brandy can't make those changes suddenly.


"It may be done with months of agony;--but there was no such agony with you."


"But you will tell me the cure was made.


I thought so, and therefore thought that I should find you changed.


I thought that you, who had been all fire, would now have turned yourself into soft-flowing milk and honey, and have become fit for the life in store for you.

I thought that you, who had been all fire, would now have turned yourself into soft-flowing milk and honey.


With such a one I might have travelled from Moscow to Malta without danger.


The woman fit to be John Grey's wife would certainly do me no harm,--could not touch my happiness.

The woman fit to be John Grey's wife would certainly do me no harm.


I might have loved her once,--might still love the memory of what she had been; but her, in her new form, after her new birth,--such a one as that, Alice, could be nothing to me.

I might have loved her once - but in her new form, she could be nothing to me.


I have enough of wisdom in me to know how much better, ay, and happier a woman she might be.

I am wise enough to know how much better and happier a woman she might be


It was not that I thought you had descended in the scale; but I gave you credit for virtues which you have not acquired.

; it was not that I thought you had descended in the scale; but, Alice, you do not possess those virtues.


Alice, that wholesome diet of which I spoke is not your diet.

That wholesome diet of milk and honey is not your diet.


He had spoken with great energy, but still in a low voice, having turned full round upon the table, with both his arms upon it, and his face stretched out far over towards her.

He had spoken with great energy, but in a low voice.


She was looking full at him; and, as I have said before, that scar and his gloomy eyes and thick eyebrows seemed to make up the whole of his face.

She was looking full at him; and that scar and his gloomy eyes seemed to make up the whole of his face.


But the scar had never been ugly to her.


She knew the story, and when he was her lover she had taken pride in the mark of the wound.

When he was her lover she had taken pride in the mark.


She looked at him, but though he paused she did not speak.


The music of the river was still in her ears, and there came upon her a struggle as though she were striving to understand its song.


Were the waters also telling her of the mistake she had made in accepting Mr. Grey as her husband?

Were the waters telling her of the mistake she had made in accepting Mr. Grey as her husband?


What her cousin was now telling her,--was it not a repetition of words which she had spoken to herself hundreds of times during the last two months?

What her cousin was now telling her - had she not said it to herself hundreds of times during the last two months?


Was she not telling herself daily,--hourly,--always,--in every thought of her life, that in accepting Mr. Grey she had assumed herself to be mistress of virtues which she did not possess?

Was she not telling herself daily - hourly - that in accepting Mr. Grey she had assumed herself to have virtues which she did not possess?


Had she not, in truth, rioted upon brandy, till the innocence of milk was unfitted for her?


This man now came and rudely told her all this,--but did he not tell her the truth?


She sat silent and convicted; only gazing into his face when his speech was done.


"I have learned this since we have been again together, Alice; and finding you, not the angel I had supposed, finding you to be the same woman I had once loved,--the safety that I anticipated has not fallen to my lot.

"I have learned this since we have been again together, Alice; and finding you, not the angel I had supposed, but the same woman I had once loved - I have not been safe from you at all.


Here's Kate, and now we'll go for our walk."


Mr. Palliser did not remain long in Baden after the payment of Burgo's bill.

The Pallisers did not remain long in Baden after the payment of Burgo's bill.


Perhaps I shall not throw any undeserved discredit on his courage if I say that he was afraid to do so.


What would he have said,--what would he have been able to say, if that young man had come to him demanding an explanation?


So he hurried away to Strasbourg the same day, much to his wife's satisfaction.

They hurried away to Strasbourg the same day.


The journey home from thence was not marked by any incidents.

The journey home from there was uneventful.


Gradually Mr. Palliser became a little more lenient to his wife and slightly less oppressive in his caution.


If he still inquired about the springs of the carriages, he did so in silence, and he ceased to enjoin the necessity of a day's rest after each day's journey.


By the time that they reached Dover he had become so used to his wife's condition that he made but little fluttering as she walked out of the boat by that narrow gangway which is so contrived as to make an arrival there a serious inconvenience to a lady, and a nuisance even to a man.

By the time that they reached Dover he had become so used to his wife's condition that he made only a little fluttering as she walked out of the boat by the narrow gangway.


He was somewhat staggered when a big man, in the middle of the night, insisted on opening the little basket which his wife carried, and was uncomfortable when obliged to stop her on the plank while he gave up the tickets which he thought had been already surrendered; but he was becoming used to his position, and bore himself like a man.


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.

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, and that was to be their fate after each had made up her mind that no such lot was to be hers.

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 one word that Alice spoke Lady Glencora spoke ten.

It may, however, be presumed that for every 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.

Mr. Palliser was eager in recommending public life to his new friend.


"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.

"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 inefficacious if it recommends public life simply or chiefly because a man may gratify his own ambition by public services."

But it is wholly ineffective if it recommends public life simply because a man may gratify his own ambition by public services."


"Of course there is personal gratification, and of course there is good done," said Mr. Palliser.


"Exactly; and the two things must go together.


The chief gratification comes from the feeling that you are of use."


"But if you feel that you would not be of use?"


We need not follow the argument any further.


We all know its nature, and what between two such men would be said on both sides.


We all know that neither of them would put the matter altogether in a true light.


Men never can do so in words, let the light within themselves be ever so clear.


I do not think that any man yet ever had such a gift of words as to make them a perfect exponent of all the wisdom within him.


But the effect was partly that which the weaker man of the two desired,--the weaker in the gifts of nature, though art had in some respects made him stronger.

But the effect was partly that which the weaker man of the two desired - the weaker in being less gifted, though art had in some respects made him stronger.


Mr. Grey was shaken in his quiescent philosophy, and startled Alice,--startled her as much as he delighted her,--by a word or two he said as he walked with her in the courts of the Louvre.

Mr. Grey was shaken in his philosophy, and startled and delighted Alice by what he said as he walked with her in the courts of the Louvre.


"It's all hollow here," he said, speaking of French politics.


"Very hollow," said Alice, who had no love for the French mode of carrying on public affairs.


"Of all modes of governing this seems to me to be the surest of coming to a downfall.


Men are told that they are wise enough to talk, but not wise enough to have any power of action."


It is as though men were cautioned that they were walking through gunpowder, and that no fire could be allowed them, but were at the same time enjoined to carry lucifer matches in their pockets.


I don't believe in the gunpowder, and I think there should be fire, and plenty of it; but if I didn't want the fire I wouldn't have the matches."


"It's so odd to hear you talk politics," said Alice, laughing.


After this he dropped the subject for a while, as though he were ashamed of it, but in a very few minutes he returned to it manfully.

After this he dropped the subject for a while, as though he were ashamed of it, but in a few minutes he returned to it manfully.


"Mr. Palliser wants me to go into Parliament."


After all that had passed she felt that it would not become her to show much outward joy on hearing such a proposition, so spoken by him, and yet she could say nothing without some sign of exultation in her voice.

After all that had passed she felt that it would not become her to show much outward joy on hearing this, and yet she could not speak without some sign of exultation in her voice.


So she walked on without speaking, and was conscious that her fingers trembled on his arm.


"Oh, John, what right can I have to say anything?"


"No one else can have so much right,--putting aside of course myself, who must be responsible for my own actions.


He asked me whether I could afford it, and he seems to think that a smaller income suffices for such work now than it did a few years since.


I believe that I could afford it, if I could get a seat that was not very expensive at the first outset.

I believe that I could, if I could get a seat that was not very expensive at the first outset.


"On that point, of course, I can have no opinion."


Living in London for four or five months in the year might be managed.


Then Alice was unable to hold her tongue longer, and spoke out her thoughts with more vehemence than discretion.

Then Alice was unable to hold her tongue, and spoke her thoughts.


No doubt he combated them with some amount of opposition.


He seldom allowed out-spoken enthusiasm to pass by him without some amount of hostility.

He seldom allowed outspoken enthusiasm to pass by him without some opposition.


But he was not so perverse as to be driven from his new views by the fact that Alice approved them, and she, as she drew near home, was able to think that the only flaw in his character was in process of being cured.

But he was not so perverse as to be driven from his new views by the fact that Alice approved them, and she was able to think that the only flaw in his character was in the process of being cured.


When they reached London they all separated.


It was Mr. Palliser's purpose to take his wife down to Matching with as little delay as possible.

Mr. Palliser intended to take his wife down to Matching with as little delay as possible.


London was at this time nearly empty, and all the doings of the season were over.


It was now the first week of August, and as Parliament had not been sitting for nearly two months, the town looked as it usually looks in September.

; it was now the first week of August, and Parliament had not been sitting for nearly two months.


Lady Glencora was to stay but one day in Park Lane, and it had been understood between her and Alice that they were not to see each other.

Lady Glencora was to stay only one day in Park Lane, and she and Alice would not see each other.


"How odd it is parting in this way, when people have been together so long," said Lady Glencora.


"It always seems as though there had been a separate little life of its own which was now to be brought to a close.

"It seems as though the time had a separate little life of its own which is now brought to a close."


I suppose, Mr. Grey, you and I, when we next meet, will be far too distant to fight with each other."


"I hope that may never be the case," said Mr. Grey.


"I suppose nothing would prevent his fighting; would it Alice?


But, remember, there must be no fighting when we do meet next, and that must be in September."


Then Mr. Palliser made his little speech.


"Alice," he said, as he gave his hand to Miss Vavasor, "give my compliments to your father, and tell him that I shall take the liberty of asking him to come down to Matching for the early shooting in September, and that I shall expect him to bring you with him.

"Alice," said Mr. Palliser, as he gave her his hand, "give my compliments to your father, and tell him that I shall invite him to come down to Matching for the shooting in September, and that I shall expect him to bring you.


You may tell him also that he will have to stay to see you off, but that he will not be allowed to take you away."

You may tell him also that he will have to stay to see you off after your marriage, but that he will not be allowed to take you away."


Lady Glencora thought that this was very pretty as coming from her husband, and so she told him on their way home.

Lady Glencora thought that this was very prettily put, and so she told her husband on their way home.


Alice insisted on going to Queen Anne Street in a cab by herself.


Mr. Palliser had offered a carriage, and Mr. Grey, of course, offered himself as a protector; but she would have neither the one nor the other.


If he had gone with her he might by chance have met her father, and she was most anxious that she should not be encumbered by her lover's presence when she first received her father's congratulations.

She wished to be alone when she first received her father's congratulations.


They had slept at Dover, and had come up by a mid-day train.


When she reached Queen Anne Street, the house was desolate, and she might therefore have allowed Mr. Grey to attend her.

But when she reached Queen Anne Street, the house was desolate.


But she found a letter waiting for her which made her for the moment forget both him and her father.

She found a letter waiting for her which made her forget everything else.


Lady Macleod, at Cheltenham, was very ill, and wished to see her niece, as she said, before she died.

Lady Macleod, at Cheltenham, was very ill, and wished to see her niece before she died.


"I have got your letter," said the kind old woman, "and am now quite happy.


It only wanted that to reconcile me to my departure.


I thought through it all that my girl would be happy at last.

, because my girl will be happy at last.


Will she forgive me if I say that I have forgiven her?"


The letter then went on to beg Alice to come to Cheltenham at once.


"It is not that I am dying now," said Lady Macleod, "though you will find me much altered and keeping my bed.


But the doctor says he fears the first cold weather.


I know what that means, my dear; and if I don't see you now, before your marriage, I shall never see you again.


I want to know that you are Mrs. Grey before I go."


If I were to hear that it was postponed because of my illness, I think it would kill me at once."


There was another letter for her from Kate, full, of course, of congratulations, and promising to be at the wedding; "that is," said Kate, "unless it takes place at the house of some one of your very grand friends;" and telling her that aunt Greenow was to be married in a fortnight;--telling her of this, and begging her to attend that wedding.

There was another letter for her from Kate, full of congratulations, and promising to be at the wedding; "that is," said Kate, "unless it takes place at the house of some of your very grand friends;" and also telling her that aunt Greenow was to be married in a fortnight, and begging her to attend that wedding.


"You should stand by your family," said Kate.


"And only think what my condition will be if I have no one here to support me.


Don't you know I would go seven times the distance for you?


Mr. Cheesacre and Captain Bellfield are friends after all, and Mr. Cheesacre is to be best man.

Mr. Cheesacre and Captain Bellfield are friends again, and Mr. Cheesacre is to be best man.


As for poor me, I'm told I haven't a chance left of becoming mistress of Oileymead and all its wealth."

As for poor me, I'm told I haven't a chance left of becoming mistress of Oileymead. "


Alice began to think that her hands were almost too full.


If she herself were to be married in September, even by the end of September, her hands were very full indeed.


Yet she did not know how to refuse any of the requests made to her.

Yet she did not know how to refuse any of the requests.


As to Lady Macleod, her visit to her was a duty which must of course be performed at once.

She must of course visit Lady Macleod at once.


She would stay but one day in London, and then go down to Cheltenham.

She would stay one day in London, and then go down to Cheltenham.


Having resolved upon this she at once wrote to her aunt to that effect.


As to that other affair down in Westmoreland, she sighed as she thought of it, but she feared that she must go there also.

As to that wedding in Westmorland, she sighed as she thought of it, but she feared that she must go there also, for Kate's sake.


Kate had suffered too much on her behalf to allow of her feeling indifferent to such a request.


"I didn't in the least know when you might arrive," said he, beginning with an apology for his absence.

"I didn't know when you might arrive," said he apologetically.


Alice scorned to remind him that she herself had named the precise hour of the train by which they had arrived.

Alice refrained from reminding him that she had told him the precise time of the train.


"I was very glad to have an hour to write a letter or two.


I must go to her the day after to-morrow."

I must go to her the day after tomorrow."


So, Alice, you've made it all square with Mr. Grey at last?"


It has all come round to the proper thing."


"I've no doubt it's the proper thing for me, papa."


"Of course not; of course not; and I can tell you this, Alice, he is a man in a thousand.

"Well; I can tell you this, Alice, he is a man in a thousand.


As the reader is aware, Alice had heard nothing special about this money.

As the reader is aware, Alice had heard nothing about this money.


She only knew, or supposed she knew, that she had given three thousand pounds to her cousin.

She thought that she had given three thousand pounds to her cousin.


But now her father explained to her the whole transaction.

But now her father explained the whole transaction.


"We couldn't have realized your money for months, perhaps," said he; "but Grey knew that some men must have rope enough before they can hang themselves."

"Grey knew that some men must have rope enough before they can hang themselves," he said.


Alice was unable to say anything on this subject to her father, but to herself she did declare that not in that way or with that hope had John Grey produced his money.


"Mr. Grey must be paid, papa," she said.


It may make some difference in the settlements, perhaps, but he and the lawyers may arrange that.

It may make some difference in the settlements, but he and the lawyers can arrange that.


I shan't think of interfering with such a man as Grey.


If you could only know, my dear, what I've suffered!"


Alice in a penitential tone expressed her sorrow, and then he too assured her that he had forgiven her.

Alice expressed her sorrow, and he assured her that he had forgiven her.


he said, "and make you happy, and good, and--and--and very comfortable."

he said, "and make you happy, and good - and very comfortable."


Alice made her journey down to Cheltenham without any adventure, and was received by Lady Macleod with open arms.

Alice travelled down to Cheltenham, and was received by Lady Macleod with open arms.


said Alice, "would I not have gone a thousand miles to you?"


Lady Macleod was very eager to know all about the coming marriage.

The old lady was very eager to know all about the coming marriage.


"I can tell you now, my dear, though I couldn't do it before, that I knew he'd persist for ever.


"He has persisted, aunt; that is certain."


A beautiful woman without discretion is like a pearl in a swine's snout; but a good wife is a crown of glory to her husband.


Remember that, my dear, and choose your part for his sake."


"I won't be that unfortunate pearl, if I can help it, aunt."


"We can all help it, if we set about it in the right way.


And Alice, you must be careful to find out all his likes and his dislikes.

"And Alice, you must be careful to find out all his likes and dislikes.


I remember how hard I found it, but then I don't think I was so clever as you are."


"Sometimes I think nobody has ever been so stupid as I have."


"Not stupid, my dear; if I must say the word, it is self-willed.

"Not stupid, my dear; self-willed, perhaps.


"There is a forgiveness which it is rather hard to get," said Alice.


There was something said then as to the necessity of looking for pardon beyond this world, which I need not here repeat.

Her aunt said something about looking for pardon beyond this world, which I need not here repeat.


To all her old friend's little sermons Alice was infinitely more attentive than had been her wont, so that Lady Macleod was comforted and took heart of grace, and at last brought forth from under her pillow a letter from the Countess of Midlothian, which she had received a day or two since, and which bore upon Alice's case.

Alice was much more attentive than usual to her old friend's little sermons, so that Lady Macleod took heart, and at last brought forth a letter from the Countess of Midlothian, which she had received a day or two since.


"I was not quite sure whether I'd show it you," said Lady Macleod, "because you wouldn't answer her when she wrote to you.


But when I'm gone, as I shall be soon, she will be the nearest relative you have on your mother's side, and from her great position, you know, Alice--" But here Alice became impatient for the letter.

But when I'm gone, she will be your nearest relative on your mother's side, you know, Alice."
The letter


Her aunt handed it to her, and she read as follows:--


I am sorry to hear of the symptoms you speak about.


I strongly advise you to depend chiefly on beef-tea.


They should be very careful to send it up quite free from grease, and it should not be too strong of the meat.


If any thing acts upon your strength, that will.


I need not tell one who has lived as you have done where to look for that other strength which alone can support you at such a time as this.


I would go to you if I thought that my presence would be any comfort to you, but I know how sensitive you are, and the shock might be too much for you.


If you see Alice Vavasor on her return to England, as you probably will, pray tell her from me that I give her my warmest congratulations, and that I am heartily glad that matters are arranged.

If you see Alice Vavasor on her return to England, pray tell her from me that I give her my warmest congratulations, and that I am heartily glad that matters are arranged.


I think she treated my attempts to heal the wound in a manner that they did not deserve; but all that shall be forgiven, as shall also her original bad behaviour to poor Mr. Grey.


Alice was becoming weary of so much forgiveness, and told herself, as she was reading the letter, that that of Lady Midlothian was at any rate unnecessary.


"I trust that we may yet meet and be friends," continued Lady Midlothian.

I trust that we may yet meet and be friends.


"I am extremely gratified at finding that she has been thought so much of by Mr. Palliser.


I'm told that Mr. Palliser and Mr. Grey have become great friends, and if this is so, Alice must be happy to feel that she has had it in her power to confer so great a benefit on her future husband as he will receive from this introduction."


"I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred no benefit on Mr. Grey," exclaimed Alice, who was unable to repress the anger occasioned by the last paragraph.

"I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred no benefit on Mr. Grey," exclaimed Alice, unable to repress her anger at the last paragraph.


"Mr. Palliser has every bit as much cause to be gratified for that as Mr. Grey, and perhaps more."

"Mr. Palliser has every bit as much cause to be gratified as Mr. Grey, and perhaps more."


Poor Lady Macleod could not argue the matter in her present state.


She merely sighed, and moved her shrivelled old hand up and down upon the counterpane.


Alice finished the letter without further remarks.


It merely went on to say how happy the writer would be to know something of her cousin as Mrs. Grey, as also to know something of Mr. Grey, and then gave a general invitation to both Mr. and Mrs. Grey, asking them to come to Castle Reekie whenever they might be able.

It merely went on to say how happy the writer would be to see her cousin as Mrs. Grey, and gave a general invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Grey to come to Castle Reekie whenever they might be able.


The Marchioness, with whom Lady Midlothian was staying, had expressly desired her to give this message.


Alice, however, could not but observe that Lady Midlothian's invitation applied only to another person's house.


"Indeed she does," said Lady Macleod, "and then you know you'll probably have children; and think what a thing it will be for them to know the Midlothian family.


You shouldn't rob them of their natural advantages."


Alice remained a week with her aunt, and went from thence direct to Westmoreland.

Alice remained a week with her aunt, and went from there direct to Westmorland.


Some order as to bridal preparations we must presume she gave on that single day which she passed in London.

On her single day in London, we must presume she gave some order about bridal preparations


Much advice she had received on this head from Lady Glencora, and no inconsiderable amount of assistance was to be rendered to her at Matching during the fortnight she would remain there before her marriage.


Something also, let us hope, she might do at Cheltenham.


Something also might probably be achieved among the wilds in Westmoreland, but that something would necessarily be of a nature not requiring fashionable tradespeople.


While at Cheltenham, she determined that she would not again return to London before her marriage.


This resolve was caused by a very urgent letter from Mr. Grey, and by another, almost equally urgent, from Lady Glencora.


If the marriage did not take place in September she would not be present at it.


The gods of the world,--of Lady Glencora's world,--had met together and come to a great decision.


Lady Glencora was to be removed in October to Gatherum Castle, and remain there till the following spring, so that the heir might, in truth, be born in the purple.

been decided that Lady Glencora was to be moved in October to Gatherum Castle, and remain there till the following spring, so that the heir would be born there.


"It is such a bore," said Lady Glencora, "and I know it will be a girl.


But the Duke isn't to be there, except for the Christmas week."


An invitation for the ceremony at Matching had been sent from Mr. Palliser to Mr. Vavasor, and another from Lady Glencora to Kate, "whom I long to know," said her ladyship, "and with whom I should like to pick a crow, if I dared, as I'm sure she did all the mischief."

An invitation for the wedding ceremony at Matching had been sent from Mr. Palliser to Mr. Vavasor, and another from Lady Glencora to Kate, "whom I long to know," said her ladyship, "and with whom I should like to pick an argument, if I dared, as I'm sure she did all the mischief."


One morning, early in May, a full week before Alice's visit to the bankers' at Charing Cross, a servant in grand livery, six feet high, got out of a cab at the door in Queen Anne Street, and sent up a note for Miss Vavasor, declaring that he would wait in the cab for her answer.

One morning in May, before Alice's visit to the bank, a servant in grand livery got out of a cab in Queen Anne Street, and sent up a note for Miss Vavasor, declaring that he would wait for her answer.


He had come from Lady Glencora, and had been specially ordered to go in a cab and come back in a cab, and make himself as like a Mercury, with wings to his feet, as may be possible to a London footman.


Mr. Palliser had arranged his plans with his wife that morning,--or, I should more correctly say, had given her his orders, and she, in consequence, had sent away her Mercury in hot pressing haste to Queen Anne Street.

for Mr. Palliser had arranged his plans with his wife that morning.


"Do come;--instantly if you can," the note said.

"Do come - instantly if you can," the note said.


"I have so much to tell you, and so much to ask of you."


If you can't come, when shall I find you, and where?"


Alice sent back a note, saying that she would be in Park Lane as soon as she could put on her bonnet and walk down; and then the Mercury went home in his cab.

Alice sent back a note, saying that she would be in Park Lane as soon as she could put on her bonnet and walk down.


Alice found her friend in the small breakfast-room up-stairs, sitting close by the window.

Alice found her friend in the small breakfast-room upstairs, sitting by the window.


They had not as yet met since the evening of Lady Monk's party, nor had Lady Glencora seen Alice in the mourning which she now wore for her grandfather.

They had not met since the evening of Lady Monk's party, nor had Lady Glencora seen Alice in the mourning which she now wore for her grandfather.


"Oh, dear, what a change it makes in you," she said.


"I never thought of your being in black."


"I don't know what it is you want, but shan't I do in mourning as well as I would in colours?"

"I don't know what you want, but shan't I do in mourning as well as I would in colours?"


But I have so much to tell you, and I don't know how to begin.


And I've so much to ask of you, and I'm so afraid you won't do it."


"You generally find me very complaisant."


It is very seldom you will do anything for me.


Do take your bonnet off, for I shall be hours in doing it."


"Yes; and in getting your consent to what I want you to do.


If you could know what questions I have asked myself on that head!


I sometimes say things to myself as though they were the most proper and reasonable things in the world, and then within an hour or two I hate myself for having thought of them."


When I have named so very respectable a chaperon for my youth, of course you will understand that my husband is to take us."

So of course you will understand that my husband is to take us."


"But Mr. Palliser can't leave London at this time of the year?"

"But Mr. Palliser can't leave London at this time of the year!"


He is to leave London at this time of the year.


Don't look in that way, for it's all settled.

Don't look like that, for it's all settled.


Whether you go with me or not, I've got to go.


We are to be off next Tuesday night, if you can make yourself ready.

evening, if you can make yourself ready.


We shall breakfast in Paris on Wednesday morning, and then it will be to us all just as if we were in a new world.

We shall breakfast in Paris on Wednesday morning, and we shall be in a new world.


Mr. Palliser will walk up and down the new court of the Louvre, and you will be on his left arm, and I shall be on his right,--just like English people,--and it will be the most proper thing that ever was seen in life.

Mr. Palliser will walk up and down the Louvre, with you on his left arm, and I on his right, and it will be the most proper thing that ever was seen.


Then we shall go on to Basle"--Alice shuddered as Basle was mentioned, thinking of the balcony over the river--"and so to Lucerne--.

Then we shall go on to Basle" - Alice shuddered, thinking of the balcony over the river - "and so to Lucerne.


But no; that was the first plan, and Mr. Palliser altered it.


He spent a whole day up here with maps and Bradshaw's and Murray's guide-books, and he scolded me so because I didn't care whether we went first to Baden or to some other place.

He spent a whole day with maps and guide-books, and scolded me because I didn't care whether we went first to Baden or somewhere else.


I told him I would go anywhere he chose to take me.


Then he told me I was heartless;--and I acknowledged that I was heartless.

Then he told me I was heartless; and I agreed.


"I didn't choose to contradict my husband.


Then he threw the Bradshaw away, and all the maps flew about.

Then he threw the guide-book away, and all the maps flew about.


So I picked them up again, and said we'd go to Switzerland first.


I knew that would settle it, and of course he decided on stopping at Baden.


If he had said Jericho, it would have been the same thing to me.

If he had said Jericho, it would have been all the same to me.


"I should have no special objection to Jericho."


But you have not told me half your story.


Why is Mr. Palliser going abroad in the middle of Parliament in this way?"

Why is Mr. Palliser going abroad in the middle of Parliament?"


"Ah; now I must go back to the beginning.


And indeed, Alice, I hardly know how to tell you; not that I mind you knowing it, only there are some things that won't get themselves told.

And indeed, Alice, I scarcely know how to tell you.


You can hardly guess what it is that he is giving up.

You can hardly guess what he is giving up.


You must swear that you won't repeat what I'm going to tell you now?"

You must swear that you won't repeat what I'm going to say?"


"I'm not a person apt to tell secrets, but I shan't swear anything."


it is you that ought to be Chancellor of the Exchequer; you are so wise.


Only you haven't brought your own pigs to the best market, after all."


They have asked Mr. Palliser to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he has--refused.

"Well, they have asked Mr. Palliser to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he has - refused.


"Because of me,--of me, and my folly, and wickedness, and abominations.

"Because of me, and my folly, and wickedness.


Because he has been fool enough to plague himself with a wife--he who of all men ought to have kept himself free from such troubles.

Because he has been fool enough to plague himself with a wife.


It is almost impossible to make any one understand it.


If you could know how he has longed for this office;--how he has worked for it day and night, wearing his eyes out with figures when everybody else has been asleep, shutting himself up with such creatures as Mr. Bott when other men have been shooting and hunting and flirting and spending their money.

If you knew how he has longed for the position - how he has worked for it day and night, wearing his eyes out when everybody else has been asleep, shutting himself up with such creatures as Mr. Bott.


He has been a slave to it for years,--all his life I believe,--in order that he might sit in the Cabinet, and be a minister and a Chancellor of the Exchequer.

He has been a slave to it for years, in order that he might sit in the Cabinet, and be Chancellor of the Exchequer.


He has hoped and feared, and has been, I believe, sometimes half-mad with expectation.


This has been his excitement,--what racing and gambling are to other men.

This has been his excitement - what racing and gambling are to other men.


At last, the place was there, ready for him, and they offered it to him.

At last, the place was open, and they offered it to him.


They begged him to take it, almost on their knees.


The Duke of St. Bungay was here all one morning about it; but Mr. Palliser sent him away, and refused the place.

The Duke of St. Bungay was here one morning about it; but Mr. Palliser refused.


It's all over now, and the other man, whom they all hate so much, is to remain in."

It's all over now, and the other man is to remain in."


He found that I wanted looking after, and that Mrs. Marsham and Mr. Bott between them couldn't do it."


"If you knew all, you might well ask how I could.


You remember about Lady Monk's ball, that you would not go to,--as you ought to have done.


If you had gone, Mr. Palliser would have been Chancellor of the Exchequer at this minute; he would, indeed.

, Mr. Palliser would now be Chancellor of the Exchequer!


But though you did not go, other people did who ought to have remained at home.


I went for one,--and you know who was there for another."

I, for one - and you know who for another."


"What difference could that make to you?"


"It might have made a great deal of difference.


Mr. Palliser was there too, but, of course, he went away immediately.


I can't tell you all the trouble there had been about Mrs. Marsham,--whether I was to take her with me or not.


However, I wouldn't take her, and didn't take her.


The carriage went for her first, and there she was when we got there; and Mr. Bott was there too.


I wonder whether I shall ever make you understand it all."


"There are some things I don't want to understand."


"There they both were watching me,--looking at me the whole evening; and, of course, I resolved that I would not be put down by them."

were watching me the whole evening; and, of course, I resolved that I would not be put down by them.


"I think, if I had been you, I would not have allowed their presence to make any difference to me."


"That is very easily said, my dear, but by no means so easily done.


You can't make yourself unconscious of eyes that are always looking at you.


I dared them, at any rate, to do their worst, for I stood up to dance with Burgo Fitzgerald."

So I stood up to dance with Burgo Fitzgerald."


At any rate I did; and I waltzed with him for half an hour.


Alice, I never will waltz again;--never.


I don't think, even in my maddest days, I ever kept it up so long as I did then.


And I knew that everybody was looking at me.


It was not only Mrs. Marsham and Mr. Bott, but everybody there.


I felt myself to be desperate,--mad, like a wild woman.

I felt desperate, mad, like a wild woman.


There I was, going round and round and round with the only man for whom I ever cared two straws.


It seemed as though everything had been a dream since the old days.


how well I remember the first time I danced with him,--at his aunt's house in Cavendish Square.

how well I remember the first time I danced with him.


They had only just brought me out in London then, and I thought that he was a god."


I cannot bear to hear you talk like that."


"I know well enough that he is no god now; some people say that he is a devil, but he was like Apollo to me then.

"I know well enough now that he is no god, but he was like Apollo to me then.


Did you ever see anyone so beautiful as he is?"


"I wish you could have seen him; but you will some day."


I don't know whether you care for men being handsome."


Alice thought of John Grey, who was the handsomest man that she knew, but she made no answer.


"I do; or, rather, I used to do," continued Lady Glencora.


"I don't think I care much about anything now; but I don't see why handsome men should not be run after as much as handsome women."


"But you wouldn't have a girl run after any man, would you; whether handsome or ugly?"


When I saw him the other night he was just as handsome as ever;--the same look, half wild and half tame, like an animal you cannot catch, but which you think would love you so if you could catch him.

"When I saw him the other night," Lady Glencora went on, "he was just as handsome as ever - the same look, half wild and half tame, like an animal you cannot catch, but which you think would love you so if you could catch him.


In a little while it was just like the old time, and I had made up my mind to care nothing for the people looking at me."

It was just like the old time, and I decided to care nothing for the people looking at me.


It wasn't right to care about dancing with him, but it was right to disregard all the people gaping round.


Why should they care who I danced with?"


"That is nonsense, dear, and you must know that it is so.


If you were to see a woman misbehaving herself in public, would not you look on and make your comments?

If you were to see a woman misbehaving herself in public, would you not look on and make your comments?"


Could you help doing so if you were to try?"


According to that, you were misbehaving in public."


Lady Glencora got up from her chair near the window, on which she had been crouching close to Alice's knees, and walked away towards the fireplace.

Lady Glencora got up from her chair and walked away towards the fireplace.


"What am I to say to you, or how am I to talk to you?"


"Of all things in the world, I hate a prude the most," said Lady Glencora.


If you consider it prudery on my part to disapprove of your waltzing with Mr. Fitzgerald in the manner you have described,--or, indeed, in any other manner,--you and I must differ so totally about the meaning of words and the nature of things that we had better part."

If you consider it prudery to disapprove of your waltzing with Mr. Fitzgerald in the way you have described, we must differ so totally about the nature of things that we had better part."


"Alice, you are the unkindest creature that ever lived.


I sometimes think that you can have no heart."


Whether I have a heart or not I will leave you to find out for yourself; but I won't be called a prude by you.


You know you were wrong to dance with that man.


What have you told me yourself this morning?


In order to preserve you from misery and destruction, Mr. Palliser has given up all his dearest hopes.


He has had to sacrifice himself that he might save you.

He has had to sacrifice himself to save you.


That, I take it, is about the truth of it,--and yet you tell me that you have done no wrong."

That, I take it, is about the truth of it - and yet you tell me that you have done no wrong."


Now she had come back to her chair by the window, and was again sitting in that crouching form.

Now she had come back to her chair again.


I have been so wrong throughout that I have never been right yet.


Let me tell it on to the end, and then you can go away if you like, and tell me that I am too wicked for your friendship."


"Have I ever said anything like that, Cora?"


"But you will, I dare say, when I have done.


Well; what do you think my senior duenna did,--the female one, I mean?

Well; what do you think my senior duenna did?


She took my own carriage, and posted off after Mr. Palliser as hard as ever she could, leaving the male duenna on the watch.

She set off after Mr. Palliser as hard as she could.


I was dancing as hard as I could, but I knew what was going on all the time as well as though I had heard them talking.


I don't know what else he could do, unless, indeed, he had left me to my fate.


He came there, and behaved so well,--so much like a perfect gentleman.

He came there, and behaved so well - so much like a perfect gentleman.


Of course I went home, and I was prepared to tell him everything, if he spoke a word to me,--that I intended to leave him, and that cart-ropes should not hold me!"

Of course I went home, and I was prepared to tell him everything, if he spoke a word to me - that I intended to leave him!"


"Yes, and go with that other man whose name you won't let me mention.


I had a letter from him in my pocket asking me to go.


I cannot think how it was that I did not consent."


"That you did not consent to your own ruin and disgrace?"


"That I did not consent to go off with him,--anywhere.


Of course it would have been my own destruction.

"Of course it would have been my destruction.


I'm not such a fool as not to know that.


Do you suppose I have never thought of it;--what it would be to be a man's mistress instead of his wife.

Do you suppose I have never thought of it?


If I had not I should be a thing to be hated and despised.


When once I had done it I should hate and despise myself.


I should feel myself to be loathsome, and, as it were, a beast among women.


But why did they not let me marry him, instead of driving me to this?


And though I might have destroyed myself, I should have saved the man who is still my husband.

And though I might have destroyed myself, I should have saved my husband.


Do you know, I told him all that,--told him that if I had gone away with Burgo Fitzgerald he would have another wife, and would have children, and would--?"

Do you know, I told him all that - told him that if I had gone away with Burgo Fitzgerald he would have another wife, and would have children?"


"You told your husband that you had thought of leaving him?"


I told him that I dearly loved that poor fellow, for whom, as I believe, nobody else on earth cares a single straw."


"I cannot tell you what he said, only that we are all to go to Baden together, and then to Italy.


But he did not seem a bit angry; he very seldom is angry, unless at some trumpery thing, as when he threw the book away.

But he did not seem a bit angry; he very seldom is angry.


And when I told him that he might have another wife and a child, he put his arm round me and whispered to me that he did not care so much about it as I had imagined.

And when I told him that he might have another wife and a child, he put his arm round me and told me that he did not care so much about it as I had imagined.


I felt more like loving him at that moment than I had ever done before."


"He's fit to be a cabinet minister, which, I'm quite sure, he'd like much better.


And now you know everything; but no,--there is one thing you don't know yet.


When I tell you that, you'll want to make him an archangel or a prime minister.


'We'll go abroad,' he said,--and remember, this was his own proposition, made long before I was able to speak a word;--'We'll go abroad, and you shall get your cousin Alice to go with us.'

"'We'll go abroad,' he said, and before I could say a word, he added, "and you shall get your cousin Alice to go with us.'


Only think if he had proposed Mrs. Marsham!"


There has been no question of liking or of disliking.


He thought you would be a kind of Mrs. Marsham, and when you were not, but went out flirting among the ruins with Jeffrey Palliser, instead--"

When you went out flirting among the ruins with Jeffrey Palliser-"


"I never went out flirting with Jeffrey Palliser."

"I never flirted with Jeffrey Palliser."


"He did with you, which is all the same thing.

"He flirted with you, which is the same thing.


And when Plantagenet knew of that,--for, of course, Mr. Bott told him--"

And when Plantagenet knew about that - for, of course, Mr. Bott told him


The worst is, they see more than everything.


But, at any rate, Mr. Palliser has got over all that now.


Come, Alice; the fact of the offer having come from himself should disarm you of any such objection as that.


As he has held out his hand to you, you have no alternative but to take it."

as he has held out his hand to you, you should take it."


He understands himself that I am not fit to be his companion, and to have no companion but him.


Now there is a spirit of wisdom about you that will do for him, and a spirit of folly that will suit me.

There is a spirit of wisdom about you that will suit him, and a spirit of folly that will suit me.


I can manage to put myself on a par with a girl who has played such a wild game with her lovers as you have done."


Her first objection was that she had undertaken to go down to Westmoreland and comfort Kate in the affliction of her broken arm.

She said she had promised to go to Westmorland and comfort Kate in the affliction of her broken arm.


"And I must go," said Alice, remembering how necessary it was that she should plead her own cause with George Vavasor's sister.


But she acknowledged that she had not intended to stay long in Westmoreland, probably not more than a week, and it was at last decided that the Pallisers should postpone their journey for four or five days, and that Alice should go with them immediately upon her return from Vavasor Hall.

But she acknowledged that she had not intended to stay more than a week in Westmorland, and it was at last decided that the Pallisers should postpone their journey for four or five days, and that Alice should go with them immediately upon her return from Vavasor Hall.


"I have no objection;" said her father, speaking with that voice of resignation which men use when they are resolved to consider themselves injured whatever may be done.

"I have no objection;" said her father, speaking with that resigned voice which men use when they are resolved to consider themselves injured.


I suppose we had better leave the house, as you have given away so much of your own fortune?"


Alice did not think it worth her while to point out to him, in answer to this, that her contribution to their joint housekeeping should still remain the same as ever.

Alice did not think it worth her while to point out to him that her contribution to their housekeeping would remain the same as ever.


Such, however, she knew would be the fact, and she knew also that she would find her father in the old house when she returned from her travels.

She knew that she would find her father in the old house when she returned from her travels.


To her, in her own great troubles, the absence from London would be as serviceable as it could be to Lady Glencora.

The absence from London would be as useful to her as to Lady Glencora.


Indeed, she had already begun to feel the impossibility of staying quietly at home.

She had already begun to feel the impossibility of staying quietly at home.


She could lecture her cousin, whose faults were open, easy to be defined, and almost loud in their nature; but she was not on that account the less aware of her own.


She knew that she too had cause to be ashamed of herself.


She was half afraid to show her face among her friends, and wept grievously over her own follies.


Those cruel words of her father rang in her ears constantly:--"Things of that sort are so often over with you."

Those cruel words of her father rang in her ears constantly: "Things of that sort are so often over with you."


The reproach, though cruel, was true, and what reproach more galling could be uttered to an unmarried girl such as was Alice Vavasor?

The reproach, though cruel, was true, and what more galling reproach could be uttered?


She had felt from the first moment in which the proposition was made to her, that it would be well that she should for a while leave her home, and especially that drawing-room in Queen Anne Street, which told her so many tales that she would fain forget, if it were possible.

It would be well that she should leave her home for a while.


Mr. Palliser would not allow his wife to remain in London for the ten or twelve days which must yet elapse before they started, nor could he send her into the country alone.

Mr. Palliser would not allow his wife to remain in London for the ten or twelve days before they started,


He took her down to Matching Priory, having obtained leave to be absent from the House for the remainder of the Session, and remained with her there till within two days of their departure.

so he took her down to Matching Priory, having obtained leave to be absent from the House for the remainder of the Session.


That week down at Matching, as she afterwards told Alice, was very terrible.


He never hinted that there had been aught in her conduct of which he had cause to complain.


He treated her with a respect that was perfect, and indeed with more outward signs of affection than had ever been customary with him.

He treated her with perfect respect, and indeed with more signs of affection than usual.


"But," as Lady Glencora afterwards expressed it, "he was always looking after me.

"But," as Lady Glencora said afterwards, "he was always looking after me.


I believe he thought that Burgo Fitzgerald had hidden himself among the ruins," she said once to Alice.

I believe he thought that Burgo Fitzgerald had hidden himself among the ruins."


"He never suspected me, I am sure of that; but he thought that he ought to look after me."


And Lady Glencora in this had very nearly hit the truth.


Mr. Palliser had resolved, from that hour in which he had walked out among the elms in Kensington Gardens, that he would neither suspect his wife, nor treat her as though he suspected her.

Mr. Palliser had resolved that he would neither suspect his wife, nor treat her as though he suspected her.


The blame had been his, perhaps, more than it had been hers.


So much he had acknowledged to himself, thinking of the confession she had made to him before their marriage.


But it was manifestly his imperative duty,--his duty of duties,--to save her from that pitfall into which, as she herself had told him, she had been so ready to fall.

But it was his imperative duty to save her from that pitfall into which she had been so ready to fall.


For her sake and for his this must be done.


It was a duty so imperative, that in its performance he had found himself forced to abandon his ambition.


To have his wife taken from him would be terrible, but the having it said all over the world that such a misfortune had come upon him would be almost more terrible even than that.


So he went with his wife hither and thither, down at Matching, allowing himself to be driven about behind Dandy and Flirt.

So he went with his wife hither and thither, allowing himself to be driven about behind Dandy and Flirt.


He himself proposed these little excursions.


They were tedious to him, but doubly tedious to his wife, who now found it more difficult than ever to talk to him.


She struggled to talk, and he struggled to talk, but the very struggles themselves made the thing impossible.


He sat with her in the mornings, and he sat with her in the evenings; he breakfasted with her, lunched with her, and dined with her.


He went to bed early, having no figures which now claimed his attention.


And so the week at last wore itself away.


"I saw him yawning sometimes," Lady Glencora said afterwards, "as though he would fall in pieces."


Alice reached the Matching Road Station about three o'clock in the afternoon without adventure, and immediately on the stopping of the train became aware that all trouble was off her own hands.

Alice reached the Matching Road Station at about three o'clock in the afternoon.


A servant in livery came to the open window, and touching his hat to her, inquired if she were Miss Vavasor.

A servant in livery came to the train window, and touching his hat, inquired if she were Miss Vavasor.


Then her dressing-bag and shawls and cloaks were taken from her, and she was conveyed through the station by the station-master on one side of her, the footman on the other, and by the railway porter behind.

Then her dressing-bag and shawls and cloaks were taken from her, and she was conveyed through the station by the station-master on one side, the footman on the other, and the railway porter behind.


She instantly perceived that she had become possessed of great privileges by belonging even for a time to Matching Priory, and that she was essentially growing upwards towards the light.

She instantly perceived that she had acquired great privileges by belonging even for a time to Matching Priory.


Outside, on the broad drive before the little station, she saw an omnibus that was going to the small town of Matching, intended for people who had not grown upwards as had been her lot; and she saw also a light stylish-looking cart which she would have called a Whitechapel had she been properly instructed in such matters, and a little low open carriage with two beautiful small horses, in which was sitting a lady enveloped in furs.

Outside the little station, she saw an omnibus that was going to the small town of Matching, intended for people who were not growing upwards to the light; and she saw also a stylish-looking cart, and a little low open carriage with two beautiful small horses, in which was sitting a lady enveloped in furs.


Another servant was standing on the ground, holding the horses of the carriage and the cart.


"Dear Alice, I'm so glad you've come," said a voice from the furs.


"Look here, dear; your maid can go in the dog-cart with your things,"--it wasn't a dog-cart, but Lady Glencora knew no better;--"she'll be quite comfortable there; and do you get in here.

"Your maid can go in the dog-cart with your things, and you get in here.


You've been in the stuffy carriage, but you'll find it cold enough out here, I can tell you."


Lady Glencora, I am so sorry that I've brought you out on such a morning," said Alice, getting in and taking the place assigned her next to the charioteer.

Lady Glencora, I am so sorry that I've brought you out on such a morning," said Alice, getting in.


Why I've looked forward to meeting you all alone, ever since I knew you were coming.

Why, I've looked forward to meeting you all alone, ever since I knew you were coming.


If it had snowed all the morning I should have come just the same.

If it had snowed all morning I should have come just the same.


I drive out almost every day when I'm down here,--that is, when the house is not too crowded, or I can make an excuse.


Wrap these things over you; there are plenty of them.


Alice, however, declined the driving, expressing her gratitude in what prettiest words she could find.

Alice, however, declined with pretty thanks.


"I like driving better than anything, I think.

"I like driving better than anything, I think," said Lady Glencora.


Mr. Palliser doesn't like ladies to hunt, and of course it wouldn't do as he does not hunt himself.

"Mr. Palliser doesn't like ladies to hunt, and he does not hunt himself.


I do ride, but he never gets on horseback.


I almost fancy I should like to drive four-in-hand,--only I know I should be afraid."

I almost fancy I should like to drive four-in-hand, only I know I should be afraid."


"It would look very terrible," said Alice.


The look would be the worst of it; as it is all the world over.


Sometimes I wish there were no such things as looks.


I don't mean anything improper, you know; only one does get so hampered, right and left, for fear of Mrs. Grundy.


I endeavour to go straight, and get along pretty well on the whole, I suppose.

I get along pretty well on the whole, I suppose.


Baker, you must put Dandy in the bar; he pulls so, going home, that I can't hold him in the check."

Baker, you must put Dandy in the bar; he pulls so that I can't hold him."


She stopped the horses, and Baker, a very completely-got-up groom of some forty years of age, who sat behind, got down and put the impetuous Dandy "in the bar," thereby changing the rein, so that the curb was brought to bear on him.

She stopped the horses, and Baker, a very completely-got-up groom, put the impetuous Dandy in the bar to curb him.


"They're called Dandy and Flirt," continued Lady Glencora, speaking to Alice.

"They're called Dandy and Flirt," continued Lady Glencora to Alice.


The Duke gave them to me and named them himself.


[Illustration: "Baker, you must put Dandy in the bar."]


"He won't be here before Christmas, but you shall be introduced some day in London.


He's an excellent creature and I'm a great pet of his; though, after all, I never speak half a dozen words to him when I see him.

He's an excellent creature and I'm a great pet of his; though I hardly speak half a dozen words when I see him.


He's one of those people who never talk.


I'm one of those who like talking, as you'll find out.


I think it runs in families; and the Pallisers are non-talkers.


That doesn't mean that they are not speakers, for Mr. Palliser has plenty to say in the House, and they declare that he's one of the few public men who've got lungs enough to make a financial statement without breaking down."

That doesn't mean that they are not speakers, for Mr. Palliser has plenty to say in the House."


Alice was aware that she had as yet hardly spoken herself, and began to bethink herself that she didn't know what to say.

Alice was aware that she had as yet hardly spoken herself, and did not know what to say.


Had Lady Glencora paused on the subject of Dandy and Flirt, she might have managed to be enthusiastic about the horses, but she could not discuss freely the general silence of the Palliser family, nor the excellent lungs, as regarded public purposes, of the one who was the husband of her present friend.


So she asked how far it was to Matching Priory.


"You're not tired of me already, I hope," said Lady Glencora.


But somehow one expects Matching Station to be near Matching."


It's not Matching Station at all but Matching Road Station, and it's eight miles.


It is a great bore, for though the omnibus brings our parcels, we have to be constantly sending over, and it's very expensive, I can assure you.

so we have to be constantly sending over, and it's very expensive, I can assure you.


I want Mr. Palliser to have a branch, but he says he would have to take all the shares himself, and that would cost more, I suppose."

I want Mr. Palliser to have a branch line of the railway, but he says he would have to take all the shares himself, and that would cost more, I suppose."


I'll go round by it if you like, and in at the further gate."


It was a borough once, and belonged to the Duke; but they put it out at the Reform Bill.


They made some kind of bargain;--he was to keep either Silverbridge or Matching, but not both.

They made some kind of bargain; he could keep either Silverbridge or Matching constituency, but not both.


Mr. Palliser sits for Silverbridge, you know.


The Duke chose Silverbridge,--or rather his father did, as he was then going to build his great place in Barsetshire;--that's near Silverbridge.

The Duke chose Silverbridge, or rather his father did, as he was going to build his great place there, in Barsetshire.


But the Matching people haven't forgiven him yet.


He was sitting for Matching himself when the Reform Bill passed.


Then his father died, and he hasn't lived there much since.

Then his father died, and the Duke hasn't lived here much since.


It's a great deal nicer place than Gatherum Castle, only not half so grand.


"I never tried much of it, as you have."


There's no one in the world less grand than I am."


"I mean that I've not had grand people about me."


"Having cut all your cousins,--and Lady Midlothian in particular, like a naughty girl as you are.

"Having cut all your cousins, and Lady Midlothian in particular, like the naughty girl you are.


I was so angry with you when you accused me of selling you about that.


You ought to have known that I was the last person in the world to have done such a thing."


"I did not think you meant to sell me, but I thought--"


I know what you thought; you thought that Lady Midlothian was making a tool of me that I might bring you under her thumb, so that she might bully you into Mr. Grey's arms.

You thought that Lady Midlothian was making a tool of me so that I might bring you under her thumb."


I don't know that I was at all entitled to your good opinion, but I was not entitled to that special bad opinion."


"I had no bad opinion;--but it was so necessary that I should guard myself."

"But it was so necessary that I should guard myself," pleaded Alice.


Mr. Grey shan't be named to you, except that I shall expect you to tell me all about it; and you must tell me all about that dangerous cousin, too, of whom they were saying such terrible things down in Scotland.


These last words Lady Glencora spoke in a lower voice and in an altered tone,--slowly, as though she were thinking of something that pained her.

These last words Lady Glencora spoke in a lower voice and in an altered tone, as though she were thinking of something that pained her.


It was from Burgo Fitzgerald that she had heard of George Vavasor.

She had heard of George from Burgo Fitzgerald.


She found it impossible to discuss all the most secret and deepest of her feelings out in that open carriage, perhaps in the hearing of the servant behind, on this her first meeting with her cousin,--of whom, in fact, she knew very little.

She found it impossible to discuss all her most secret and deepest feelings out in that open carriage, perhaps in the hearing of the servant behind, on this first meeting with her cousin - of whom she actually knew very little.


She had not intended to discuss these things at all, and certainly not in such a manner as this.

She had not intended to discuss these things at all.


"This is the beginning of the park," said Lady Glencora, pointing to a grand old ruin of an oak tree, which stood on the wide margin of the road, outside the rounded corner of the park palings, propped up with a skeleton of supporting sticks all round it.

"This is the beginning of the park," said Lady Glencora, pointing to a grand old oak tree, by the corner of the park palings.


"And that is Matching oak, under which Coeur de Lion or Edward the Third, I forget which, was met by Sir Guy de Palisere as he came from the war, or from hunting, or something of that kind.

"And that is Matching oak, under which Cur de Lion or Edward the Third, I forget which, was met by Sir Guy de Palisere as he came from the war, or from hunting, or something.


It was the king, you know, who had been fighting or whatever it was, and Sir Guy entertained him when he was very tired.


Jeffrey Palliser, who is my husband's cousin, says that old Sir Guy luckily pulled out his brandy-flask.


But the king immediately gave him all the lands of Matching,--only there was a priory then and a lot of monks, and I don't quite understand how that was.

for the king, and the king immediately gave him all the lands of Matching - only there was a priory then and a lot of monks.


But I know one of the younger brothers always used to be abbot and sit in the House of Lords.


And the king gave him Littlebury at the same time, which is about seven miles away from here.


As Jeffrey Palliser says, it was a great deal of money for a pull at his flask.


Jeffrey Palliser is here now, and I hope you'll like him.


If I have no child, and Mr. Palliser were not to marry again, Jeffrey would be the heir."


And here again her voice was low and slow, and altogether changed in its tone.


"I suppose that's the way most of the old families got their estates."


Many of them were terrible thieves, my dear, and I dare say Sir Guy was no better than he should be.

Many of them were terrible thieves, and I dare say Sir Guy was no better than he should be.


But since that they have always called some of the Pallisers Plantagenet.


The Duke is called George Plantagenet, and the king was his godfather.


The queen is my godmother, I believe, but I don't know that I'm much the better for it.


There's no use in godfathers and godmothers;--do you think there is?"

But there's no use in godfathers and godmothers, is there?"


"If I had a child,-- Oh, Alice, it's a dreadful thing not to have a child when so much depends on it!"

"If I had a child - oh, Alice, it's a dreadful thing not to have a child when so much depends on it!"


"But you're such a short time married yet."


"Ah, well; I can see it in his eyes when he asks me questions; but I don't think he'd say an unkind word, not if his own position depended on it.

"I can see it in his eyes; but I don't think he'd say an unkind word, not if his own position depended on it.


That other gate we passed, where Dandy wanted to turn in,--that's where we usually go up, but I've brought you round to show you the town.


That's the inn,--whoever can possibly come to stay there I don't know; I never saw anybody go in or out.


That's the baker who bakes our bread,--we baked it at the house at first, but nobody could eat it; and I know that that man there mends Mr. Palliser's shoes.

That's our baker; and I know that man there mends Mr. Palliser's shoes.


We shall see the church as we go in at the other gate.


It is in the park, and is very pretty,--but not half so pretty as the priory ruins close to the house.

It is in the park, and is very pretty, but not half so pretty as the priory ruins near the house.


I do so love to wander about them at moonlight.

I do so love to wander about our ruins at moonlight.


I often think of you when I do; I don't know why.--But I do know why, and I'll tell you some day.

I often think of you when I do; I don't know why. No, I do know why, and I'll tell you some day."


As they drove up through the park, Lady Glencora pointed out first the church and then the ruins, through the midst of which the road ran, and then they were at once before the front door.

As they drove up through the park, Lady Glencora pointed out the church and the ruins, through the midst of which the road ran, and then they were at the front door.


The corner of the modern house came within two hundred yards of the gateway of the old priory.

The modern house came within two hundred yards of the gateway of the old priory.


It was a large building, very pretty, with two long fronts; but it was no more than a house.

It was a large house, very pretty, with two long fronts and gabled roofs; but


It was not a palace, nor a castle, nor was it hardly to be called a mansion.

it was not a palace, nor even a mansion.


It was built with gabled roofs, four of which formed the side from which the windows of the drawing-rooms opened out upon a lawn which separated the house from the old ruins, and which indeed surrounded the ruins, and went inside them, forming the present flooring of the old chapel, and the old refectory, and the old cloisters.

The windows of the drawing-rooms opened out upon a lawn which separated the house from the old ruins, and which indeed surrounded the ruins, and went inside them, forming the floor of the old chapel, refectory, and cloisters.


Much of the cloisters indeed was standing, and there the stone pavement remained; but the square of the cloisters was all turfed, and in the middle of it stood a large modern stone vase, out of the broad basin of which hung flowering creepers and green tendrils.

In the middle of the cloisters stood a large modern stone vase, out of whose broad basin hung flowering creepers and green tendrils.


As Lady Glencora drove up to the door, a gentleman, who had heard the sound of the wheels, came forth to meet them.

As Lady Glencora drove up to the door, a gentleman came forth to meet them.


"There's Mr. Palliser," said she; "that shows that you are an honoured guest, for you may be sure that he is hard at work and would not have come out for anybody else.

"There's Mr. Palliser," said she; "that shows that you are an honoured guest, for he is hard at work and would not have come out for anybody else.


Plantagenet, here is Miss Vavasor, perished.


Then Mr. Palliser put forth his hand and helped her out of the carriage.

Mr. Palliser helped her out of the carriage.


"I hope you've not found it very cold," said he.


"The winter has come upon us quite suddenly."


He said nothing more to her than this, till he met her again before dinner.


He was a tall thin man, apparently not more than thirty years of age, looking in all respects like a gentleman, but with nothing in his appearance that was remarkable.

He was a tall thin man, about thirty years of age, looking like a gentleman, but with nothing in his appearance that was remarkable.


It was a face that you might see and forget, and see again and forget again; and yet when you looked at it and pulled it to pieces, you found that it was a fairly good face, showing intellect in the forehead, and much character in the mouth.

It was a face that you might see and forget, and see again and forget again; and yet it was a fairly good face, showing intellect in the forehead, and much character in the mouth.


The eyes too, though not to be called bright, had always something to say for themselves, looking as though they had a real meaning.

The eyes too, though not bright, had always something to say for themselves, looking as though they had a real meaning.


But the outline of the face was almost insignificant, being too thin; and he wore no beard to give it character.

But his face was perhaps too thin; and he wore no beard to give it character.


But, indeed, Mr. Palliser was a man who had never thought of assisting his position in the world by his outward appearance.


Not to be looked at, but to be read about in the newspapers, was his ambition.

wished not to be looked at, but to be read about in the newspapers.


Men said that he was to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and no one thought of suggesting that the insignificance of his face would stand in his way.

Men said that he was to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and no one thought of suggesting that his face would stand in his way.


"The men have not come in from shooting;--at least I think not;--and some of the ladies are driving, I suppose.

"The men have not come in from shooting; and some of the ladies are driving, I suppose.


But I haven't seen anybody since you went."


He never has time, Alice, to see any one.


I told them to let us have tea in my dressing-room, as I thought you'd like that better than going into the drawing-room before you had taken off your things.

I told them to let us have tea in my dressing-room, as I thought you'd like that better than going into the drawing-room.


Then you can come down, or if you want to avoid two dressings you can sit over the fire up-stairs till dinner-time."

Then you can come down, or you can sit over the fire upstairs till dinner-time."


So saying she skipped up-stairs and Alice followed her.

So saying she skipped upstairs and Alice followed her.


"Here's my dressing-room, and here's your room all but opposite.

"Here's my dressing-room, and here's your room opposite.


But come into my dressing-room, and see the ruins out of the window."


Alice followed Lady Glencora across the passage into what she called her dressing-room, and there found herself surrounded by an infinitude of feminine luxuries.