He could not have spoken such words as these to her had he not still held her high in his esteem.


Nay;--had he not even declared that he would yet take her as his own if she would come to him? "I cannot tell you with how much joy I would take you back to my bosom!"

Nay; had he not even declared that he would take her back with joy?


But yet the assurance had been sweet to her;--dangerously sweet, as she soon told herself.

Yet the assurance was sweet to her - dangerously sweet, as she soon told herself.


She knew that she had lost her Eden, but it was something to her that the master of the garden had not himself driven her forth.


She sat there, thinking of her fate, as though it belonged to some other one,--not to herself; as though it were a tale that she had read.

She sat there, thinking of her fate, as though it belonged to someone else.


Herself she had shipwrecked altogether; but though she might sink, she had not been thrust from the ship by hands which she loved.

She had been shipwrecked altogether; but though she might sink, she had not been thrust from the ship by hands which she loved.


But would it not have been better that he should have scorned her and reviled her?

But would it not have been better if he had reviled her?


Had he been able to do so, he at least would have escaped the grief of disappointed love.

In that case, at least he would have escaped the grief of disappointed love.


Had he learned to despise her, he would have ceased to regret her.


She had no right to feel consolation in the fact that his sufferings were equal to her own.

She had no right to feel consoled by the fact that his sufferings were equal to her own.


But when she thought of this, she told herself that it could not be that it was so.

But when she thought of this, she told herself that it could not be so.


He was a man, she said, not passionate by nature.


it was the mistake she had ever made when summing up the items of his character!

it was the mistake she had always made about his character!


He might be persistent, she thought, in still striving to do that upon which he had once resolved. He had said so, and that which he said was always true to the letter. But, nevertheless, when this thing which he still chose to pursue should have been put absolutely beyond his reach, he would not allow his calm bosom to be harassed by a vain regret.

He might be persistent, she thought, and true; but when she was put beyond his reach, he would not allow his calmness to be harassed by vain regret.


He was a man too whole at every point,--so Alice told herself,--to allow his happiness to be marred by such an accident.

He was a man too whole at every point - so Alice told herself - to allow his happiness to be marred by such an accident.


Was there no chance that he might be saved, even from such trouble as might follow upon such a loss? Could it not be possible that he might be gratified,--since it would gratify him,--and that she might be saved!

Was there no chance that he might be gratified, and that she might be saved?


Over and over again she considered this,--but always as though it were another woman whom she would fain save, and not herself.

Over and over again she considered this, but always as though it were another woman whom she would save, and not herself.


But she knew that her own fate was fixed.


She had been mad when she had done the thing, but the thing was not on that account the less done.

She had been mad when she had done the thing, but the thing was done.


She had been mad when she had trusted herself abroad with two persons, both of whom, as she had well known, were intent on wrenching her happiness from out of her grasp.

She had been mad when she had trusted herself abroad with two people, both intent on wrenching her happiness out of her grasp.


She had been mad when she had told herself, whilst walking over the Westmoreland fells, that after all she might as well marry her cousin, since that other marriage was then beyond her reach!

She had been mad when she had told herself, whilst walking over the Westmorland fells, that after all she might as well marry her cousin, since that other marriage was beyond her reach!


Her two cousins had succeeded in blighting all the hopes of her life;--but what could she now think of herself in that she had been so weak as to submit to such usage from their hands?

Her two cousins had succeeded in blighting all the hopes of her life; but why had she had been so weak as to submit?


Alas!--she told herself, admitting in her misery all her weakness,--alas, she had no mother.

Alas! she told herself, admitting in her misery all her weakness - alas, she had no mother.


She had gloried in her independence, and this had come of it!


She had scorned the prudence of Lady Macleod, and her scorn had brought her to this pass!


Was she to give herself bodily,--body and soul, as she said aloud in her solitary agony,--to a man whom she did not love?

Was she to give herself body and soul to a man whom she did not love?


Must she submit to his caresses,--lie on his bosom,--turn herself warmly to his kisses?

Must she submit to his caresses, lie on his bosom, turn warmly to his kisses?


"No," she said, "no,"--speaking audibly, as she walked about the room; "no;--it was not in my bargain; I never meant it."

"No," she said aloud, "no; it was not in my bargain; I never meant it."


But if so what had she meant;--what had been her dream?


Of what marriage had she thought, when she was writing that letter back to George Vavasor?

What marriage had she thought of, when she was writing that letter to George Vavasor?


How am I to analyse her mind, and make her thoughts and feelings intelligible to those who may care to trouble themselves with the study?


Any sacrifice she would make for her cousin which one friend could make for another.

She would make any sacrifice for her cousin which one friend could make for another.


She would fight his battles with her money, with her words, with her sympathy.


She would sit with him if he needed it, and speak comfort to him by the hour.

She would sit and speak comfort to him by the hour.


His disgrace should be her disgrace;--his glory her glory;--his pursuits her pursuits.

His disgrace should be her disgrace; his glory her glory.


Was not that the marriage to which she had consented?


But he had come to her and asked her for a kiss, and she had shuddered before him, when he made the demand.

But he had come and asked her for a kiss, and she had shuddered.


Then that other one had come and had touched her hand, and the fibres of her body had seemed to melt within her at the touch, so that she could have fallen at his feet.

Then that other one had come and had touched her hand, and the fibres of her body had seemed to melt at the touch, so that she could have fallen at his feet.


She had done very wrong. She knew that she had done wrong.

She had done very wrong, and she knew it.


She knew that she had sinned with that sin which specially disgraces a woman.


She had said that she would become the wife of a man to whom she could not cleave with a wife's love; and, mad with a vile ambition, she had given up the man for whose modest love her heart was longing.

Mad with a vile ambition, she had given up the man for whom her heart was longing.


She had thrown off from her that wondrous aroma of precious delicacy, which is the greatest treasure of womanhood.


She had sinned against her sex; and, in an agony of despair, as she crouched down upon the floor with her head against her chair, she told herself that there was no pardon for her.


She understood it now, and knew that she could not forgive herself.


But can you forgive her, delicate reader?


Or am I asking the question too early in my story?


The story of the struggle has been present to my mind for many years,--and I have learned to think that even this offence against womanhood may, with deep repentance, be forgiven.


And you also must forgive her before we close the book, or else my story will have been told amiss.


But let us own that she had sinned,--almost damnably, almost past forgiveness.


What;--think that she knew what love meant, and not know which of two she loved!

What; to think that she knew what love meant, and did not know which of two she loved!


What;--doubt, of two men for whose arms she longed, of which the kisses would be sweet to bear; on which side lay the modesty of her maiden love!


She had submitted to pollution of heart and feeling before she had brought herself to such a pass as this.


Come;--let us see if it be possible that she may be cleansed by the fire of her sorrow.


She passed that whole day in asking herself that question.

She passed the whole day in asking herself that question.


She was herself astounded at the rapidity with which the conviction had forced itself upon her that a marriage with her cousin would be to her almost impossible; and could she permit it to be said of her that she had thrice in her career jilted a promised suitor,--that three times she would go back from her word because her fancy had changed?

She was herself astounded at the rapidity with which she had become convinced that she could not marry her cousin; yet could she let it be said of her that she had thrice jilted a suitor - that three times she would go back from her word?


Where could she find the courage to tell her father, to tell Kate, to tell even George himself, that her purpose was again altered?

Where could she find the courage to tell her father, to tell Kate, to tell George himself, that she had changed her mind?


If only during that year he would take her money and squander it, and then require nothing further of her hands, might she not thus escape the doom before her?

If only during that year he would take her money and squander it, and then need nothing further, might she not thus escape the doom before her?


Might it not be possible that the refusal should this time come from him?

Might the refusal this time come from him?


But she succeeded in making one resolve.


She thought at least that she succeeded.


Come what might, she would never stand with him at the altar.

Come what might, she would never stand with George at the altar.


While there was a cliff from which she might fall, water that would cover her, a death-dealing grain that might be mixed in her cup, she could not submit herself to be George Vavasor's wife.

While there was a cliff from which she might fall, water that would cover her, poison to be mixed in her cup, she could not submit herself to be George Vavasor's wife.


To no ear could she tell of this resolve.


To no friend could she hint her purpose.


She owed her money to the man after what had passed between them. It was his right to count upon such assistance as that would give him, and he should have it.

She owed her money to the man, and he should have it.


Only as his betrothed she could give it him, for she understood well that if there were any breach between them, his accepting of such aid would be impossible.

Only as his betrothed could she give it him.


He should have her money, and then, when the day came, some escape should be found.


In the afternoon her father came to her, and it may be as well to explain that Mr. Grey had seen him again that day.

In the afternoon her father came to her, having seen Mr. Grey again that day.


Mr. Grey, when he left Queen Anne Street, had gone to his lawyer, and from thence had made his way to Mr. Vavasor.

Mr. Grey, when he left Queen Anne Street, had gone to his lawyer, and then to Mr. Vavasor.


It was between five and six when Mr. Vavasor came back to his house, and he then found his daughter sitting over the drawing-room fire, without lights, in the gloom of the evening.


Mr. Vavasor had returned with Grey to the lawyer's chambers, and had from thence come direct to his own house. He had been startled at the precision with which all the circumstances of his daughter's position had been explained to a mild-eyed old gentleman, with a bald head, who carried on his business in a narrow, dark, clean street, behind Doctors' Commons. Mr. Tombe was his name.

They had both returned to the lawyer's chambers, where Mr. Vavasor had been startled at the precision with which all his daughter's circumstances had been explained to a mild-eyed old lawyer called Mr. Tombe.


"No;" Mr. Grey had said, when Mr. Vavasor had asked as to the peculiar nature of Mr. Tombe's business; "he is not specially an ecclesiastical lawyer.


He had a partner at Ely, and was always employed by my father, and by most of the clergy there."


Mr. Tombe had evinced no surprise, no dismay, and certainly no mock delicacy, when the whole affair was under discussion.

Mr. Tombe had shown no surprise or dismay at the affair under discussion.


George Vavasor was to get present moneys, but,--if it could be so arranged--from John Grey's stores rather than from those belonging to Alice.

George Vavasor was to get money, but from John Grey's funds rather than from Alice's.


Mr. Tombe could probably arrange that with Mr. Vavasor's lawyer, who would no doubt be able to make difficulty as to raising ready money.

Mr. Tombe could probably arrange that with Mr. Vavasor's lawyer.


Mr. Tombe would be able to raise ready money without difficulty.


And then, at last, George Vavasor was to be made to surrender his bride, taking or having taken the price of his bargain.

And then, at last, having taken the price of his bargain, George Vavasor was to be made to surrender his bride.


John Vavasor sat by in silence as the arrangement was being made, not knowing how to speak.

John Vavasor sat by in silence as the arrangement was made.


He had no money with which to give assistance.


"I wish you to understand from the lady's father," Grey said to the lawyer, "that the marriage would be regarded by him with as much dismay as by myself."

"I wish you to understand from the lady's father," Grey said to the lawyer, "that he would regard the marriage with as much dismay as by myself."


"Certainly;--it would be ruinous," Mr. Vavasor had answered.

"Certainly; it would be ruinous," Mr. Vavasor said.


"And you see, Mr. Tombe," Mr. Grey went on, "we only wish to try the man.


If he be not such as we believe him to be, he can prove it by his conduct.

If he is not as bad as we believe, he can prove it by his conduct.


If he is worthy of her, he can then take her."


"You merely wish to open her eyes, Mr. Grey," said the mild-eyed lawyer.


"I wish that he should have what money he wants, and then we shall find what it is he really wishes."


"Yes; we shall know our man," said the lawyer.


"He shall have the money, Mr. Grey," and so the interview had been ended.

He shall have the money, Mr. Grey," and so the interview had ended.


Mr. Vavasor, when he entered the drawing-room, addressed his daughter in a cheery voice.

Mr. Vavasor, when he came home after this and entered the drawing-room, found his daughter sitting in the dusk. He addressed her in a cheery voice.


Why should I have candles when I am doing nothing?


I came here because I want to say a few words to you about business."


Alice well understood the tone of her father's voice.

Alice understood the tone of her father's voice.


He was desirous of propitiating her; but was at the same time desirous of carrying some point in which he thought it probable that she would oppose him.

He wanted to propitiate; but he also wanted his own way on some point.


"Well; my love, if I understood you rightly, your cousin George wants some money."


"I did not say that he wants it now; but I think he will want it before the time for the election comes."

"I think he will want it before the election."


"No; he has merely said that should he be in need he would take me at my word."

"No; he has merely said that if he is in need he will take me at my word.


"I think there is no doubt that he wants it.


Indeed, I believe that he is almost entirely without present means of his own."


"I can hardly think so; but I have no knowledge about it.


I can only say that he has not asked me yet, and that I should wish to oblige him whenever he may do so."


I get about four hundred a year, but I do not know what it is worth, or how far it can all be turned into money.

I get about four hundred a year, but I do not know what my capital is worth, or how far it can all be turned into money.


I should wish to keep a hundred a year and let him have the rest."


said the father who in spite of his wish not to oppose her, could not but express his dismay.


"I do not imagine that he will want so much; but if he should, I wish that he should have it."


said John Vavasor, unable to restrain himself.


"Of course we should have to give up the house."


He could not suppress his trouble, or refrain from bursting out in agony at the prospect of such a loss.


"But he has asked me for nothing yet, papa."


"No, exactly; and perhaps he may not; but I wish to know what to do when the demand is made.

"No, and perhaps he may not; but I wish to know when the demand is made.


I am not going to oppose you now; your money is your own, and you have a right to do with it as you please;--but would you gratify me in one thing?"

I am not going to oppose you now; your money is your own - but would you gratify me in one thing?"


"When he does apply, let the amount be raised through me?"
"How through you?"
"Come to me; I mean, so that I may see the lawyer, and have the arrangements made."

"When he does apply, will you come to me, so that I may see the lawyer, and have the arrangements made?"


Then he explained to her that in dealing with large sums of money, it could not be right that she should do so without his knowledge, even though the property was her own.


"I will promise you that I will not oppose your wishes," he said.

"I promise you that I will not oppose your wishes," he said.


Then Alice undertook that when such case should arise the money should be raised through his means.

Then Alice agreed that the money should be raised through his means.


The day but one following this she received a letter from Lady Glencora, who was still at Matching Priory.

Two days after this she received a letter from Lady Glencora, who was still at Matching Priory.


It was a light-spirited, chatty, amusing letter, intended to be happy in its tone,--intended to have a flavour of happiness, but just failing through the too apparent meaning of a word here and there.

It was a light-spirited, chatty, amusing letter, intended to be happy in its tone, but just failing.


"You will see that I am at Matching," the letter said, "whereas you will remember that I was to have been at Monkshade.

"You will see that I am at Matching," the letter said, "instead of Monkshade.


I escaped at last by a violent effort, and am now passing my time innocently,--I fear not so profitably as she would induce me to do,--with Iphy Palliser.

I escaped at last by a violent effort, and am now passing my time innocently with Iphy Palliser.


She is a good creature, and would fain turn even me to profit, if it were possible.


I own that I am thinking of them all at Monkshade, and am in truth delighted that I am not there.

I admit that I am thinking of them all at Monkshade, and am truly delighted that I am not there.


My absence is entirely laid upon your shoulders.


I go there alone sometimes and fancy that I hear such voices from the walls, and see such faces through the broken windows! All the old Pallisers come and frown at me, and tell me that I am not good enough to belong to them.

I go there alone sometimes and fancy that I hear such voices from the walls, and see all the old Pallisers frown at me through the broken windows, telling me that I am not good enough to belong to them.


There is a particular window to which Sir Guy comes and makes faces at me.


I told Iphy the other day, and she answered me very gravely, that I might, if I chose, make myself good enough for the Pallisers.

I told Iphy that the other day, and she answered very gravely, that I might, if I chose, make myself good enough for the Pallisers.


Then Lady Glencora went on to say, that her husband intended to come up to London early in the session, and that she would accompany him.

Then Lady Glencora went on to say that her husband intended to come to London early in the parliamentary session, and that she would accompany him.


"That is," added Lady Glencora, "if I am still good enough for the Pallisers at that time."

"That is," she added, "if I am still good enough for the Pallisers at that time."


The coming of Mrs. Greenow at this very moment was a great comfort to Kate.

The coming of Mrs. Greenow was a great comfort to Kate.


Without her she would hardly have known how to bear herself with her uncle and her brother.

Without her she would hardly have known how to talk to her uncle and brother.


As it was, they were all restrained by something of the courtesy which strangers are bound to show to each other. George had never seen his aunt since he was a child, and some sort of introduction was necessary between them.

As it was, they were all restrained by the courtesy which strangers are bound to show each other, for George had not seen his aunt since he was a child.


"So you are George," said Mrs. Greenow, putting out her hand and smiling.


She said this pleasantly, meaning it to be taken for truth, and then turned away to her brother.

She said this pleasantly, and then turned to her brother.


"Papa's time was fully come," she said, "though, to tell the truth, I had no idea that he was so weak as Kate describes him to have been."

"Papa's time was fully come," she said, "though, to tell the truth, I had no idea that he was so weak."


"He went to church with us here on Christmas-day."

"He went to church with us here on Christmas Day."


He seems at last to have gone off just like poor Greenow."


Here she put her handkerchief up to her face.

She put her handkerchief up to her face.


"I think you didn't know Greenow, John?"


he wasn't to be known and understood in that way.


I'm aware there was a little prejudice, because of his being in trade, but we won't talk of that now.


Where should I have been without him, tradesman or no tradesman?"


"I've no doubt he was an excellent man."


we can't keep everything in this life for ever."


It may, perhaps, be as well to explain now that Mrs. Greenow had told Captain Bellfield at their last meeting before she left Norwich, that, under certain circumstances, if he behaved himself well, there might possibly be ground of hope.

It may, perhaps, be as well to explain that before she left Norwich, Mrs. Greenow had told Captain Bellfield that if he behaved himself well, there might possibly be hope.


Whereupon Captain Bellfield had immediately gone to the best tailor in that city, had told the man of his coming marriage, and had given an extensive order.


But the tailor had not as yet supplied the goods, waiting for more credible evidence of the Captain's good fortune.

But the tailor had not yet supplied the goods, waiting for more credible evidence of the Captain's good fortune.


"We're all grass of the field," said Mrs. Greenow, lightly brushing a tear from her eye, "and must be cut down and put into the oven in our turns."

"We're all grass of the field," said Mrs. Greenow, lightly brushing a tear from her eye, "and must be cut down in our turn."


Her brother uttered a slight sympathetic groan, shaking his head in testimony of the uncertainty of human affairs, and then said that he would go out and look about the place.

Her brother uttered a slight sympathetic groan, and then said that he would go out and look around the place.


George, in the meantime, had asked his sister to show him his room, and the two were already together up-stairs.

George, in the meantime, had asked his sister to show him his room, and the two were already upstairs.


Kate had made up her mind that she would say nothing about Alice at the present moment,--nothing, if it could be avoided, till after the funeral.

Kate had made up her mind to say nothing about Alice, if it could be avoided, till after the funeral.


She led the way up-stairs, almost trembling with fear, for she knew that that other subject of the will would also give rise to trouble and sorrow,--perhaps, also, to determined quarrelling.

She led the way upstairs, almost trembling with fear, for she knew that the will would also cause trouble.


was the first question that George asked.


Kate immediately felt that he was speaking as though he were master of the house, and also as though he intended to be master of her.


As regarded the former idea, she had no objection to it.


She thoroughly and honestly wished that he might be the master; and though she feared that he might find himself mistaken in his assumption, she herself was not disposed to deny any appearance of right that he might take upon himself in that respect.


But she had already begun to tell herself that she must not submit herself to his masterdom.

But she had already decided that she must not submit herself to his masterdom.


She had gradually so taught herself since he had compelled her to write the first letter in which Alice had been asked to give her money.

She had gradually so taught herself since he had compelled her to write the first letter in which Alice had been asked for money.


"I asked her, George, before my poor grandfather's death, when I thought that he would linger perhaps for weeks.

"I asked her, George, before my poor grandfather's death, when I thought that he might linger for weeks.


My life here alone with him, without any other woman in the house beside the servants, was very melancholy."


"Why did you not ask Alice to come to you?"


"Alice could not have come," said Kate, after a short pause.


"I don't know why she shouldn't have come.


I won't have that woman about the place.


She disgraced herself by marrying a blacksmith--."

She disgraced herself by marrying a blacksmith-."


"Why, George, it was you yourself who advised me to go and stay with her."

"Why, George, you advised me to go and stay with her."


Now that he's dead, and she's got his money, it's all very well that you should go to her occasionally; but I won't have her here."


"It's natural that she should come to her father's house at her father's death-bed."

"It's natural that she should come to her father's death-bed."


"I hate to be told that things are natural.


I don't suppose she cared for the old man any more than I did,--or than she cared for the other old man who married her.

I don't suppose she cared for the old man any more than I did - or than she cared for the old man who married her.


There's my uncle John, pulling a long face because he has come into this house, and he will pull it as long as the body lies up there; and yet for the last twenty years there's nothing on earth he has so much hated as going to see his father.

There's my uncle John, pulling a long face; and yet for the last twenty years he has hated going to see his father.


"Why couldn't they do it to-morrow, so that we could get away before Sunday?"

"Why couldn't they do it tomorrow, so that we could get away before Sunday?"


"He only died on Monday, George," said Kate, solemnly.

"He only died on Monday, George," said Kate solemnly.


He was here yesterday, and told me to tell you and uncle John that he would have it with him when he came back from the funeral."


"I shall go over to Penrith this afternoon and make Gogram give it up to me."


How do I know that he has really got the old man's last will?


Where did my grandfather keep his papers?"


"In that old secretary, as he used to call it; the one that stands in the dining-room.

"In that old secretary, as he used to call it, in the dining-room.


"Mr. Gogram did,--Mr. Gogram and I together."


"What the deuce made you meddle with it?"


But I believe he was quite right. I think it is usual in such cases."


You are thinking of some old trumpery of former days.


Till I know to the contrary, everything here belongs to me as heir-at-law, and I do not mean to allow of any interference till I know for certain that my rights have been taken from me.

Till I know to the contrary, everything here belongs to me as heir, and I do not mean to allow any interference till I know for certain that my rights have been taken from me.


What a man chooses to write when his fingers will hardly hold the pen, goes for nothing."

What a man chooses to write when his fingers will hardly hold the pen goes for nothing."


"You can't suppose that I wish to interfere with your rights?"


Do you think my uncle John would not interfere with me if he could?


if he does, he shall find that he does it to his cost. I'll lead him such a life through the courts, for the next two or three years, that he'll wish that he had remained in Chancery Lane, and had never left it."

if he does, I'll drag him through the courts."


A message was now brought up by the nurse, saying that Mrs. Greenow and Mr. Vavasor were going into the room where the old Squire was lying, "Would Miss Kate and Mr. George go with them?"

A message was now brought up by the nurse, saying that Mrs. Greenow and Mr. Vavasor were going into the room where the old Squire was lying. "Would Miss Kate and Mr. George go with them?"


shouted out George, making the old woman jump.

shouted George, making the old woman jump.


She did not understand his meaning in the least.


Why should I pretend an interest in the dead body of a man whom I hated and who hated me;--whose very last act, as far as I know as yet, was an attempt to rob me?

Why should I pretend an interest in the dead body of a man whom I hated and whose very last act may have been an attempt to rob me?"


Kate went, and was glad of an opportunity of getting away from her brother.

Kate went, and was glad to get away from her brother.


Every hour the idea was becoming stronger in her mind that she must in some way separate herself from him.

Every hour the idea was becoming stronger in her mind that she must somehow separate herself from him.


There had come upon him of late a hard ferocity which made him unendurable.


And then he carried to such a pitch that hatred, as he called it, of conventional rules, that he allowed himself to be controlled by none of the ordinary bonds of society.

He allowed himself to be controlled by none of the ordinary bonds of society.


She had felt this heretofore, with a nervous consciousness that she was doing wrong in endeavouring to bring about a marriage between him and Alice; but this demeanour and mode of talking had now so grown upon him that Kate began to feel herself thankful that Alice had been saved.

She had felt this before, with a nervous consciousness that she was doing wrong in trying to bring about a marriage between him and Alice; but this manner had now grown so much that Kate began to feel thankful that Alice had been saved.


Kate went up with her uncle and aunt, and saw the face of her grandfather for the last time.

With her uncle and aunt, Kate saw the face of her grandfather for the last time.


said Mrs. Greenow, as the easy tears ran down her face.


"Do you remember, John, how he used to scold me, and say that I should never come to good.


He has said the same thing to you, Kate, I dare say?"


"He has been very kind to me," said Kate, standing at the foot of the bed.

"He has been very kind to me," said Kate.


She was not one of those whose tears stand near their eyes.


"He was a fine old gentleman," said John Vavasor;--"belonging to days that are now gone by, but by no means the less of a gentleman on that account.

"He was a fine old gentleman," said John Vavasor.


I don't know that he ever did an unjust or ungenerous act to any one.

"I don't know that he ever did an unjust or ungenerous act to anyone.


Mrs. Greenow lingered to say a word or two to the nurse, of the manner in which Greenow's body was treated when Greenow was lying dead, and then she followed her brother and niece.


George did not go into Penrith, nor did he see Mr. Gogram till that worthy attorney came out to Vavasor Hall on the morning of the funeral.

George did not go into Penrith, nor did he see Mr. Gogram till the attorney came to Vavasor Hall on the morning of the funeral.


He said nothing more on the subject, nor did he break the seals on the old upright desk that stood in the parlour.


The two days before the funeral were very wretched for all the party, except, perhaps, for Mrs. Greenow, who affected not to understand that her nephew was in a bad humour.

The two days before the funeral were very wretched for all, except, perhaps, Mrs. Greenow, who pretended not to understand that her nephew was in a bad humour.


She called him "poor George," and treated all his incivility to herself as though it were the effect of his grief.

She called him "poor George," and treated all his incivility as though it were the effect of grief.


She asked him questions about Parliament, which, of course, he didn't answer, and told him little stories about poor dear Greenow, not heeding his expressions of unmistakable disgust.


The two days at last went by, and the hour of the funeral came.


There was the doctor and Gogram, and the uncle and the nephew, to follow the corpse,--the nephew taking upon himself ostentatiously the foremost place, as though he could thereby help to maintain his pretensions as heir.

There were the doctor and Gogram, and the uncle and the nephew, to follow the corpse - the nephew ostentatiously taking the foremost place.


The clergyman met them at the little wicket-gate of the churchyard, having, by some reasoning, which we hope was satisfactory to himself, overcome a resolution which he at first formed, that he would not read the burial service over an unrepentant sinner.


But he did read it, having mentioned his scruples to none but one confidential clerical friend in the same diocese.


"I'm told that you have got my grandfather's will," George said to the attorney as soon as he saw him.


"I have it in my pocket," said Mr. Gogram, "and purpose to read it as soon as we return from church."

"I have it in my pocket," said Mr. Gogram, "and intend to read it after we return from church."


"Is it usual to take a will away from a man's house in that way?"


"Quite usual," said the attorney; "and in this case it was done at the express desire of the testator."


"I think it is the common practice," said John Vavasor.


George upon this turned round at his uncle as though about to attack him, but he restrained himself and said nothing, though he showed his teeth.

George upon this turned round at his uncle as though about to attack him, showing his teeth.


The funeral was very plain, and not a word was spoken by George Vavasor during the journey there and back.

The funeral was very plain, and George spoke not a word during the journey there and back.


John Vavasor asked a few questions of the doctor as to the last weeks of his father's life; and it was incidentally mentioned, both by the doctor and by the attorney, that the old Squire's intellect had remained unimpaired up to the last moment that he had been seen by either of them.

John Vavasor asked a few questions of the doctor about the last weeks of his father's life; and it was mentioned by both the doctor and the attorney that the old Squire's intellect had remained unimpaired up to the last moment.


When they returned to the hall Mrs. Greenow met them with an invitation to lunch. They all went to the dining-room, and drank each a glass of sherry.

When they returned to the hall Mrs. Greenow met them; they all went to the dining-room, and drank a glass of sherry.


The doctor then withdrew, and drove himself back to Penrith, where he lived.


The three gentlemen then rose up, and went across to the drawing-room, George leading the way.

The three gentlemen went across to the drawing-room, George leading the way.


The attorney followed him, and John Vavasor closed the door behind them.


Had any observer been there to watch them he might have seen by the faces of the two latter that they expected an unpleasant meeting.

If an observer had been watching, he might have seen by the faces of the two latter that they expected an unpleasant meeting.


Mr. Gogram, as he had walked across the hall, had pulled a document out of his pocket, and held it in his hand as he took a chair.

Mr. Gogram held a document in his hand as he took a chair.


John Vavasor stood behind one of the chairs which had been placed at the table, and leaned upon it, looking across the room, up at the ceiling.

John Vavasor stood behind one of the chairs which had been placed at the table, and leaned upon it, looking across the room.


George stood on the rug before the fire, with his hands in the pockets of his trousers, and his coat tails over his arms.

George stood on the rug before the fire, with his hands in his trouser pockets.


Mr. Gogram then opened the document before him.


"Before that paper is read," said George, "I think it right to say a few words.


I don't know what it contains, but I believe it to have been executed by my grandfather only an hour or two before his death."


"On the day before he died,--early in the day," said the attorney.

"Early on the day before he died," said the attorney.


"Well,--the day before he died; it is the same thing,--while he was dying, in fact.

"Well, it is the same thing - while he was dying.


"He was not in bed at the time, Mr. Vavasor.


Not that it would have mattered if he had been.


I don't understand, however, why you make these observations."


"If you'll listen to me you will understand.


"I make them because I deny my grandfather's fitness to make a will in the last moments of his existence, and at such an age.


I saw him a few weeks ago, and he was not fit to be trusted with the management of property then."


"I do not think this is the time, George, to put forward such objections," said the uncle.


"I believe that that paper purports to be an instrument by which I should be villanously defrauded if it were allowed to be held as good.

"I believe that paper purports to villainously defraud me.


Therefore I protest against it now, and shall question it at law if action be taken on it.

Therefore I protest against it, and shall question it at law.


"Oh, yes, I shall read," said Mr. Gogram; "and I say that it is as valid a will as ever a man signed."

"Oh, yes, I shall read it," said Mr. Gogram; "and I say that it is as valid a will as ever a man signed."


The will was read amidst sundry interjections and expressions of anger from George, which it is not necessary to repeat.

The will was read amidst angry interruptions from George, which it is not necessary to repeat.


Nor need I trouble my readers with the will at length.


It began by expressing the testator's great desire that his property might descend in his own family, and that the house might be held and inhabited by some one bearing the name of Vavasor.

It began by expressing the testator's great desire that his property might descend in his own family, and that the house might be inhabited by someone bearing the name of Vavasor.


He then declared that he felt himself obliged to pass over his natural heir, believing that the property would not be safe in his hands; he therefore left it in trust to his son John Vavasor, whom he appointed to be sole executor of his will.

The testator then declared that he felt himself obliged to pass over his natural heir, believing that the property would not be safe in his hands; he therefore left it in trust to his son John Vavasor, whom he appointed sole executor of his will.


He devised it to George's eldest son,--should George ever marry and have a son,--as soon as he might reach the age of twenty-five.

It would go to George's eldest son - should George ever marry and have a son - as soon as he might reach the age of twenty-five.


In the meantime the property should remain in the hands of John Vavasor for his use and benefit, with a lien on it of five hundred a year to be paid annually to his granddaughter Kate.

In the meantime the property should remain in the hands of John Vavasor for his use and benefit, with five hundred a year out of it to be paid annually to his granddaughter Kate.


In the event of George having no son, the property was to go to the eldest son of Kate, or failing that to the eldest son of his other granddaughter who might take the name of Vavasor.


All his personal property he left to his son, John Vavasor.

All his personal effects he left to his son, John Vavasor.


"And, Mr. Vavasor," said the attorney, as he finished his reading, "you will, I fear, get very little by that latter clause.

"And, Mr. Vavasor," said the attorney, addressing John Vavasor as he finished his reading, "you will, I fear, get very little by that last clause.


The estate now owes nothing; but I doubt whether the Squire had fifty pounds in his banker's hands when he died, and the value of the property about the place is very small.

The estate now owes nothing; but I doubt whether the Squire had fifty pounds in the bank when he died, and the value of the personal property about the place is very small.


He has been unwilling to spend anything during the last ten years, but has paid off every shilling that the property owed."

He was unwilling to spend anything during the last ten years, but paid off every shilling that the property owed."


His voice was very unpleasant, and so was the fire of his eyes and the ghastly rage of his scarred face.

His voice was very unpleasant, and so was the ghastly rage of his scarred face.


"The old man has endeavoured in his anger to rob me of everything because I would not obey him in his wickedness when I was here with him a short while before he died.

"The old man has tried to rob me of everything because I would not obey him in his wickedness when I was here with him a short while before he died.


"As to that I have nothing to say at present," said the attorney.


"Where is his other will,--the one he made before that?"

"Where is his other will - the one he made before that?"


"If I remember rightly we executed two before this."


"It is not my business to know, Mr. Vavasor.


I believe that I saw him destroy one, but I have no absolute knowledge.


Your sister is the person chiefly interested under it.


She gets five hundred a year for her life; and if she marries and you don't, or if she has a son and you don't, her son will have the whole property."

She gets five hundred a year for her life; and if she has a son and you don't, her son will have the whole property."


George stood for a few moments thinking.


Might it not be possible that by means of Alice and Kate together,--by marrying the former,--perhaps, he might still obtain possession of the property?

Might it not be possible that by means of Alice and Kate together - by marrying the former - he might still get hold of the property?


But that which he wanted was the command of the property at once,--the power of raising money upon it instantly.

But he wanted the property at once - he wanted the power of raising money upon it instantly.


The will had been so framed as to make that impossible in any way.

The will had been so framed as to make that impossible.


Kate's share in it had not been left to her unconditionally, but was to be received even by her through the hands of her uncle John.

Kate's share in it had not been left to her unconditionally, but was to be received through the hands of her uncle John.


Such a will shut him out from all his hopes.


"It is a piece of d---- roguery," he said.

"It is a piece of d--- roguery," he said.


Who was in the room when that thing was written?"


Who was in the room when the thing was written?"


The presence of any one else at such a time would be very unusual."

The presence of anyone else at such a time would be very unusual."


"Then I regard the document simply as waste paper."


After saying this, George Vavasor left the room, and slammed the door after him.

With this, George Vavasor left the room, and slammed the door after him.


"I never was insulted in such a way before," said the attorney, almost with tears in his eyes.


"He is a disappointed and I fear a ruined man," said John Vavasor.


"I do not think you need regard what he says."


"But he should not on that account insult me.


If he comes in my way again I shall tell him so."


"He probably will not put himself in your way again, Mr. Gogram."


Then the attorney went, having suggested to Mr. Vavasor that he should instruct his attorney in London to take steps in reference to the proving of the will.

Then the attorney left, having suggested to Mr. Vavasor that he should instruct his attorney in London to take steps towards proving the will.


"It's as good a will as ever was made," said Mr. Gogram.


"If he can set that aside, I'll give up making wills altogether."


That was John Vavasor's first thought when he was left alone at the hall-door, after seeing the lawyer start away.

That was John Vavasor's first thought when he was alone.


And how was he to get himself back to London without further quarrelling with his nephew?

And how was he to get back to London without further quarrelling with his nephew?


And what was he to do at once with reference to the immediate duties of proprietorship which were entailed upon him as executor?

And what was he to do at once about his duties as executor?


It was by no means improbable, as he thought, that George might assume to himself the position of master of the house; that he might demand the keys, for instance, which no doubt were in Kate's hands at present, and that he would take possession with violence.

It was by no means improbable, as he thought, that George might assume the position of master of the house; that he might demand the keys, for instance, which no doubt were in Kate's hands at present, and that he would take possession with violence.


What should he do under such circumstances?

What should he do in such circumstances?


It was clear that he could not run away and get back to his club by the night mail train.

It was clear that he could not run away and get back to his club.


He had duties there at the Hall, and these duties were of a nature to make him almost regret the position in which his father's will had placed him.

He had duties at the Hall which made him almost regret the position in which his father's will had placed him.


Eventually he would gain some considerable increase to his means, but the immediate effect would be terribly troublesome.

Eventually he would gain some increase to his means, but the immediate effect would be terribly troublesome.


As he looked up at the melancholy pines which were slowly waving their heads in the wind before the door he declared to himself that he would sell his inheritance and his executorship very cheaply, if such a sale were possible.


In the dining-room he found his sister alone.


"She has gone out with her brother."
"Did he take his hat?"
"Oh, yes. He asked her to walk, and she went with him at once."

"She has gone out to walk with her brother."


"Then, I suppose, he will tell her," said John Vavasor.

"Then I suppose he will tell her," said John Vavasor.


After that he explained the circumstances of the will to Mrs. Greenow.

He explained the circumstances of the will to Mrs. Greenow.


I love Kate dearly: and now she can marry almost whom she pleases."


It has been said that George Vavasor had a little establishment at Roebury, down in Oxfordshire, and thither he betook himself about the middle of November.

It has been said that George Vavasor had a little establishment at Roebury, in Oxfordshire; and he went there in the middle of November, to hunt.


He had been long known in this county, and whether or no men spoke well of him as a man of business in London, men spoke well of him down there, as one who knew how to ride to hounds.

In this county, men spoke well of him, as one who knew how to ride.


Not that Vavasor was popular among fellow-sportsmen.

Not that Vavasor was popular among his fellow-sportsmen.


He was not a man that made himself really popular in any social meetings of men.


He did not himself care for the loose little talkings, half flat and half sharp, of men when they meet together in idleness.

He did not care for the loose talk of men when they meet in idleness.


He was not open enough in his nature for such popularity. Some men were afraid of him, and some suspected him. There were others who made up to him, seeking his intimacy, but these he usually snubbed, and always kept at a distance.

He was not open enough in his nature for popularity, and kept others at a distance.


Though he had indulged in all the ordinary pleasures of young men, he had never been a jovial man.


In his conversations with men he always seemed to think that he should use his time towards serving some purpose of business.

He always seemed to think that his conversations with men should serve some purpose of business.


A woman he could really love;--but I doubt whether for all that he could treat a woman well.

A woman he could really love; but I doubt whether he could treat a woman well.


But he was known in the Oxfordshire country as a man who knew what he was about, and such men are always welcome.

However, he was welcome in Oxfordshire as a man who knew what he was about.


It is the man who does not know how to ride that is made uncomfortable in the hunting field by cold looks or expressed censure.


And yet it is very rarely that such men do any real harm.


Such a one may now and then get among the hounds or override the hunt, but it is not often so.


Many such complaints are made; but in truth the too forward man, who presses the dogs, is generally one who can ride, but is too eager or too selfish to keep in his proper place.


The bad rider, like the bad whist player, pays highly for what he does not enjoy, and should be thanked.


But at both games he gets cruelly snubbed.


At both games George Vavasor was great and he never got snubbed.


There were men who lived together at Roebury in a kind of club,--four or five of them, who came thither from London, running backwards and forwards as hunting arrangements enabled them to do so,--a brewer or two and a banker, with a would-be fast attorney, a sporting literary gentleman, and a young unmarried Member of Parliament who had no particular home of his own in the country.

There were several men who formed a kind of club at Roebury, travelling to the inn there from London for the hunting. They comprised a couple of brewers, a banker, a would-be attorney, a sporting literary gentleman, and a young unmarried Member of Parliament.


These men formed the Roebury Club, and a jolly life they had of it.

These men formed the Roebury Club at the King's Head, and a jolly life they had of it.


They had their own wine closet at the King's Head,--or Roebury Inn as the house had come to be popularly called,--and supplied their own game. The landlord found everything else; and as they were not very particular about their bills, they were allowed to do pretty much as they liked in the house.

They supplied their own game, while the landlord supplied everything else; and as they were not very particular about their bills, they were allowed to do pretty much as they liked.


They were rather imperious, very late in their hours, sometimes, though not often, noisy, and once there had been a hasty quarrel which had made the landlord in his anger say that the club should be turned out of his house. But they paid well, chaffed the servants much oftener than they bullied them, and on the whole were very popular.

They were rather imperious, very late in their hours, and sometimes noisy; but they paid well, joked with the servants more than they bullied them, and on the whole were very popular.


To this club Vavasor did not belong, alleging that he could not afford to live at their pace, and alleging, also, that his stays at Roebury were not long enough to make him a desirable member. The invitation to him was not repeated and he lodged elsewhere in the little town.

Vavasor did not belong to this club, claiming that he could not afford it; when he visited the little town, he lodged elsewhere.


But he occasionally went in of an evening, and would make up with the members a table at whist.

But he occasionally went in, and would make up a table at whist.


He had come down to Roebury by mail train, ready for hunting the next morning, and walked into the club-room just at midnight.

He had come down to Roebury by mail train, ready for hunting the next morning, and walked into the club-room at midnight.


There he found Maxwell the banker, Grindley the would-be fast attorney, and Calder Jones the Member of Parliament, playing dummy.

There he found Maxwell the banker, Grindley the would-be attorney, and Calder Jones the Member of Parliament, playing dummy.


Neither of the brewers were there, nor was the sporting literary gentleman.


"Here's Vavasor," said Maxwell, "and now we won't play this blackguard game any longer.


Somebody told me, Vavasor, that you were gone away."

"Somebody told me, Vavasor, that you were gone away.


"I don't know what it was; that something had happened to you since last season; that you were married, or dead, or gone abroad.


By George, I've lost the trick after all!


Yes, I know; that's seven points on each side.


Upon my word if any one had asked me, I should have said you were dead."

If anyone had asked me, I should have said you were dead."


"But you see, nobody ever does think of asking you anything."

"But nobody ever does think of asking you anything."


"What you probably mean," said Grindley, "is that Vavasor was not returned for Chelsea last February; but you've seen him since that.

"What you probably mean," said Grindley, "is that Vavasor did not win the seat at Chelsea last February.


Are you going to try it again, Vavasor?"


"I don't see what on earth a man gains by going into the house," said Calder Jones.

"I don't see what a man gains by going into the House," said Calder Jones.


"I couldn't help myself as it happened, but, upon my word it's a deuce of a bore.

"I couldn't help myself, but it's a dead bore.


A fellow thinks he can do as he likes about going,--but he can't.


It wouldn't do for me to give it up, because--"

It wouldn't do for me to give it up, because-"


"Oh no, of course not; where should we all be?"


"It's you and me, Grindems," said Maxwell.


"D---- parliament, and now let's have a rubber."

"D-- parliament, and now let's have a rubber of whist."


They played till three and Mr. Calder Jones lost a good deal of money,--a good deal of money in a little way, for they never played above ten-shilling points, and no bet was made for more than a pound or two.

They played till three, and Mr. Calder Jones lost a good deal of money.


But Vavasor was the winner, and when he left the room he became the subject of some ill-natured remarks.


"I wonder he likes coming in here," said Grindley, who had himself been the man to invite him to belong to the club, and who had at one time indulged the ambition of an intimacy with George Vavasor.

"I wonder he likes coming in here," said Grindley, the man who had first invited him to belong to the club, and who had hoped to become his friend.


"I can't understand it," said Calder Jones, who was a little bitter about his money.

"I can't understand it," said Calder Jones, a little bitter about his money.


"Last year he seemed to walk in just when he liked, as though he were one of us."


"He's a bad sort of fellow," said Grindley; "he's so uncommonly dark. I don't know where on earth he gets his money from, He was heir to some small property in the north, but he lost every shilling of that when he was in the wine trade."

"He's a bad sort of fellow," said Grindley; "I don't know where on earth he gets his money from. He was heir to some property in the north, but he lost every shilling in the wine trade."


"You're wrong there, Grindems," said Maxwell,--making use of a playful nickname which he had invented for his friend.

"You're wrong there, Grindems," said Maxwell.


"He made a pot of money at the wine business, and had he stuck to it he would have been a rich man."

"He made a pot of money at the wine business."


"He's lost it all since then, and that place in the north into the bargain."


If old Vavasor were to die to-morrow, Vavasor Hall would go just as he might choose to leave it.

If old Vavasor were to die tomorrow, Vavasor Hall would go to him.


George may be a ruined man for aught I know--"


"There's no doubt about that, I believe," said Grindley.


"Perhaps not, Grindems; but he can't have lost Vavasor Hall because he has never as yet had an interest in it.


He's the natural heir, and will probably get it some day."


"All the same," said Calder Jones, "isn't it rather odd he should come in here?"


"We've asked him often enough," said Maxwell; "not because we like him, but because we want him so often to make up a rubber.

"We've asked him often enough," said Maxwell, "to make up a rubber.


I don't like George Vavasor, and I don't know who does; but I like him better than dummy. And I'd sooner play whist with men I don't like, Grindems, than I'd not play at all."

I don't like George Vavasor; but I'd sooner play whist with men I don't like, than not play at all."


A bystander might have thought from the tone of Mr. Maxwell's voice that he was alluding to Mr. Grindley himself, but Mr. Grindley didn't seem to take it in that light.


But I certainly didn't think that he'd make it out for another season."


The club breakfasted the next morning at nine o'clock, in order that they might start at half-past for the meet at Edgehill.

The club breakfasted the next morning at nine o'clock, in order to leave at half-past for the hunting meet at Edgehill.


Edgehill is twelve miles from Roebury, and the hacks would do it in an hour and a half,--or perhaps a little less.

Edgehill is twelve miles from Roebury, and the horses would do it in an hour and a half.


"Does anybody know anything about that brown horse of Vavasor's?"


"I saw him coming into the yard yesterday with that old groom of his."

"I saw him in the yard yesterday with that old groom of his."


"He had a brown horse last season," said Grindley;--"a little thing that went very fast, but wasn't quite sound on the road."

"He had a brown horse last season," said Grindley; "a very fast little thing."


"That was a mare," said Maxwell, "and he sold her to Cinquebars."*


[*Ah, my friend, from whom I have borrowed this scion of the nobility!


Had he been left with us he would have forgiven me my little theft, and now that he has gone I will not change the name.]


"For a hundred and fifty," said Calder Jones, "and she wasn't worth the odd fifty."

"For a hundred and fifty," said Calder Jones, "and she wasn't worth it."


"He won seventy with her at Leamington," said Maxwell, "and I doubt whether he'd take his money now."

"He won seventy with her at Leamington," said Maxwell.


"Is Cinquebars coming down here this year?"


He's the best fellow in the world, but he can't ride, and he don't care for hunting, and he makes more row than any fellow I ever met.

He's the best fellow in the world, but he can't ride.


I wish some fellow could tell me something about that fellow's brown horse."

I wish someone could tell me something about that fellow's brown horse."


"I'd never buy a horse of Vavasor's if I were you," said Grindley.

"I'd never buy a horse of Vavasor's," said Grindley.


"He never has anything that's all right all round."


said Maxwell, as he took into his plate a second mutton chop, which had just been brought up hot into the room especially for him.

said Maxwell, helping himself to a second mutton chop.


"That's the mistake men make about horses, and that's why there's so much cheating.


I never ask for a warranty with a horse, and don't very often have a horse examined.


You can't have perfect horses any more than you can perfect men, or perfect women.

"You can't have perfect horses any more than perfect women.


You put up with red hair, or bad teeth, or big feet,--or sometimes with the devil of a voice.


But a man when he wants a horse won't put up with anything!


Therefore those who've got horses to sell must lie.


When I go into the market with three hundred pounds I expect a perfect animal.


As I never do that now I never expect a perfect animal.


I like 'em to see; I like 'em to have four legs; and I like 'em to have a little wind.

I like 'em to see; I like 'em to have four legs, and decent lungs.


"By Jove you're about right," said Calder Jones.

"By Jove, you're right," said Calder Jones.


The reader will therefore readily see that Mr. Maxwell the banker reigned as king in that club.

The reader will see that Mr. Maxwell the banker reigned as king in that club.


Vavasor had sent two horses on in charge of Bat Smithers, and followed on a pony about fourteen hands high, which he had ridden as a cover hack for the last four years.

Vavasor had sent two horses ahead in the charge of his old groom Bat Smithers, and followed on a big pony which he kept as a hack.


He did not start till near ten, but he was able to catch Bat with his two horses about a mile and a half on that side of Edgehill.

He did not start till near ten, but he was able to catch Bat with his two horses about a mile outside Edgehill.


"Have you managed to come along pretty clean?"


the master asked as he came up with his servant.

the master asked as he joined his servant.


"They be the most beastly roads in all England," said Bat, who always found fault with any county in which he happened to be located.

"They be the most beastly roads in all England," said Bat.


"But I'll warrant I'm cleaner than most on 'em.


What for any county should make such roads as them I never could tell."

But why any county should make such roads I never could tell."


"The roads about there are bad, certainly;--very bad.


But I suppose they would have been better had Providence sent better materials.


And what do you think of the brown horse, Bat?"


He said no more, and that he said with a drawl.


"He's as fine an animal to look at as ever I put my eye on," said George.

"He's as fine an animal to look at as ever I saw," said George.


"And they tell me you can't beat him at jumping."


"They can mostly do that, sir, if they're well handled."


He is a fourteen stoner."
"Or fifteen," said Vavasor.


There's no knowing what a 'orse can carry till he's tried."


George asked his groom no more questions, but felt sure that he had better sell his brown horse if he could.


Now I here protest that there was nothing specially amiss with the brown horse.

There was nothing specially amiss with the brown horse.


Towards the end of the preceding season he had overreached himself and had been lame, and had been sold by some owner with more money than brains who had not cared to wait for a cure.

He had gone lame at the end of the preceding season, and had been sold by some owner who had not cared to wait for a cure.


Then there had gone with him a bad character, and a vague suspicion had attached itself to him, as there does to hundreds of horses which are very good animals in their way.

Then there had gone with him a bad character, and a vague suspicion had attached itself to him, as it does to hundreds of horses which are very good animals in their way.


He had come thus to Tattersall's, and Vavasor had bought him cheap, thinking that he might make money of him, from his form and action. He had found nothing amiss with him,--nor, indeed, had Bat Smithers. But his character went with him, and therefore Bat Smithers thought it well to be knowing.

Vavasor had bought him cheap, and found nothing amiss with him; but his character went with him, and therefore Bat Smithers thought it well to be knowing.


George Vavasor knew as much of horses as most men can,--as, perhaps, as any man can who is not a dealer, or a veterinary surgeon; but he, like all men, doubted his own knowledge, though on that subject he would never admit that he doubted it.

George Vavasor knew as much of horses as most men, but he doubted his own knowledge.


Therefore he took Bat's word and felt sure that the horse was wrong.

Therefore he took Bat's word and felt sure that something was wrong with the horse.


"We shall have a run from the big wood," said George.


"If they make un break, you will, sir," said Bat.


"At any rate I'll ride the brown horse," said George.


Then, as soon as that was settled between them, the Roebury Club overtook them.


There was now a rush of horses on the road altogether, and they were within a quarter of a mile of Edgehill church, close to which was the meet.

There was now a rush of horses on the road to Edgehill church.


Bat with his two hunters fell a little behind, and the others trotted on together.

Bat, with his two hunters, fell a little behind, and the others trotted on together.


The other grooms with their animals were on in advance, and were by this time employed in combing out forelocks, and rubbing stirrup leathers and horses' legs free from the dirt of the roads;--but Bat Smithers was like his master, and did not congregate much with other men, and Vavasor was sure to give orders to his servant different from the orders given by others.


"No, indeed; I never was what I call well mounted yet. I generally have one horse and three or four cripples.

"No, indeed; I generally have one horse and three or four cripples.


That brown horse behind there is pretty good, I believe."


"I see your man has got the old chestnut mare with him."

"I see your man has got the old chestnut mare."


"She's one of the cripples,--not but what she's as sound as a bell, and as good a hunter as ever I wish to ride; but she makes a little noise when she's going."

"She's one of the cripples - sound as a bell, and a good hunter; but she makes a noise when she's going."


"So that you can hear her three fields off," said Grindley.


"Five if the fields are small enough and your ears are sharp enough," said Vavasor.

"Five if the fields are small enough," said Vavasor.


"All the same I wouldn't change her for the best horse I ever saw under you."


"Had you there, Grindems," said Maxwell.


"Your horses, Grindley, are always up to all the work they have to do," said George; "and I don't know what any man wants more than that."

"Your horses, Grindley, are up to all the work they have to do," said George; "and I don't know what any man wants more than that."


"Had you again, Grindems," said Maxwell.


"I can ride against him any day," said Grindley.


"Yes; or against a brick wall either, if your horse didn't know any better," said George.


Whereupon Mr. Grindley trotted on, round the corner by the church, and into the field in which the hounds were assembled. The fire had become too hot for him, and he thought it best to escape.

And he trotted round the corner by the church, and into the field in which the hounds were assembled, to escape.


Had it been Vavasor alone he would have turned upon him and snarled, but he could not afford to exhibit any ill temper to the king of the club.


Mr. Grindley was not popular, and were Maxwell to turn openly against him his sporting life down at Roebury would decidedly be a failure.

Mr. Grindley was not popular, and he did not wish Maxwell to turn openly against him.


The lives of such men as Mr. Grindley,--men who are tolerated in the daily society of others who are accounted their superiors, do not seem to have many attractions.


And yet how many such men does one see in almost every set?


Why Mr. Grindley should have been inferior to Mr. Maxwell the banker, or to Stone, or to Prettyman who were brewers, or even to Mr. Pollock the heavy-weight literary gentleman, I can hardly say.


An attorney by his trade is at any rate as good as a brewer, and there are many attorneys who hold their heads high anywhere.


Grindley was a rich man,--or at any rate rich enough for the life he led. I don't know much about his birth, but I believe it was as good as Maxwell's. He was not ignorant, or a fool;--whereas I rather think Maxwell was a fool.

Grindley was a rich enough man, and not ignorant, or a fool; whereas I rather think Maxwell was a fool.


Grindley had made his own way in the world, but Maxwell would certainly not have made himself a banker if his father had not been a banker before him; nor could the bank have gone on and prospered had there not been partners there who were better men of business than our friend.

Grindley had made his own way in the world, but Maxwell would certainly not have made a banker if his father had not been a banker before him; there were many better men of business.


Grindley knew that he had a better intellect than Maxwell; and yet he allowed Maxwell to snub him, and he toadied Maxwell in return.

Grindley knew this, yet he allowed Maxwell to snub him.


It was not on the score of riding that Maxwell claimed and held his superiority, for Grindley did not want pluck, and every one knew that Maxwell had lived freely and that his nerves were not what they had been. I think it had come from the outward look of the men, from the form of each, from the gait and visage which in one was good and in the other insignificant.

Maxwell was not even a better rider; but one looked imposing and the other insignificant.


The nature of such dominion of man over man is very singular, but this is certain that when once obtained in manhood it may be easily held.


Among boys at school the same thing is even more conspicuous, because boys have less of conscience than men, are more addicted to tyranny, and when weak are less prone to feel the misery and disgrace of succumbing.


Who has been through a large school and does not remember the Maxwells and Grindleys,--the tyrants and the slaves,--those who domineered and those who submitted?


Nor was it, even then, personal strength, nor always superior courage, that gave the power of command.


Nor was it intellect, or thoughtfulness, nor by any means such qualities as make men and boys lovable.


It is said by many who have had to deal with boys, that certain among them claim and obtain ascendancy by the spirit within them; but I doubt whether the ascendancy is not rather thrust on them than claimed by them.


Here again I think the outward gait of the boy goes far towards obtaining for him the submission of his fellows.


But the tyrant boy does not become the tyrant man, or the slave boy the slave man, because the outward visage, that has been noble or mean in the one, changes and becomes so often mean or noble in the other.


said Maxwell, as he rode into the field by the church.

said Maxwell, as he rode into the field.


"I'll bet half a crown that he's come down from London this morning, that he was up all night last night, and that he tells us so three times before the hounds go out of the paddock."

"I'll bet half a crown that he's come down from London this morning, that he was up all night, and that he tells us so three times before the hounds leave the paddock."


Mr. Pollock was the heavy-weight sporting literary gentleman.


Kate and Alice, as they drew near to their journey's end, were both a little flurried, and I cannot but own that there was cause for nervousness.

Kate and Alice, as they drew near to their journey's end, were both a little flurried and nervous.


Kate Vavasor was to meet Mr. Grey for the first time.

Kate was to meet Mr. Grey for the first time.


Mr. Grey was now staying at Matching and was to remain there until a week of his marriage.

He was now staying at Matching and was to remain there until a week before his marriage.


He was then to return to Cambridgeshire for a day or two, and after that was to become a guest at the rector's house at Matching the evening before the ceremony.

He would then return to Cambridgeshire for a day or two, and after that was to be a guest at the rector's house at Matching the evening before the ceremony.


Mr. Palliser, though a Radical in public life, would not for worlds transgress the social laws of his ancestors; and so the matter was settled.

But Mr. Palliser, though a Radical in public life, would not for worlds transgress the social laws of his ancestors.


Kate on this very day of her arrival at Matching would thus see Mr. Grey for the first time, and she could not but feel that she had been the means of doing Mr. Grey much injury.

Kate could not help feeling that she had been the means of doing Mr. Grey much injury.


She had moreover something,--not much indeed, but still something,--of that feeling which made the Pallisers terrible to the imagination, because of their rank and wealth. She was a little afraid of the Pallisers, but of Mr. Grey she was very much afraid.

She was awed by the Pallisers, because of their rank and wealth; but of Mr. Grey she was very much afraid.


She would fain have prevented so very quick a marriage had she not felt that now,--after all the trouble that she had caused,--there was nothing left for her but to do as others wished.


When a day had been named she had hardly dared to demur, and had allowed Lady Glencora to settle everything as she had wished.


But it was not only the suddenness of her marriage which dismayed her.


Its nature and attributes were terrible to her.


Both Lady Midlothian and the Marchioness of Auld Reekie were coming. When this was told to her by letter she had no means of escape.

Both Lady Midlothian and the Marchioness of Auld Reekie were coming, and she had no means of escape.


"Lady Macleod is right in nearly all that she says," Lady Glencora had written to her.


"At any rate, you needn't be such a fool as to run away from your cousins, simply because they have handles to their names.

"At any rate, you needn't be such a fool as to run away from your cousins, simply because they have titles."


Lady Glencora, moreover, had settled for her the list of bridesmaids.

Lady Glencora, moreover, had settled the list of bridesmaids.


Alice had made a petition that she might be allowed to go through the ceremony with only one,--with none but Kate to back her.

Alice had asked that she might have only one - Kate.


But she ought to have known that when she consented to be married at Matching,--and indeed she had had very little power of resisting that proposition,--all such questions would be decided for her.

But she should have known that when she consented to be married at Matching, all such questions would be decided for her.


Two daughters therefore of Lady Midlothian were to act, Lady Jane and Lady Mary, and the one daughter of the Marchioness, who was also a Lady Jane, and there were to be two Miss Howards down from London,--girls who were known both to Alice and to Lady Glencora, and who were in some distant way connected with them both.

So two daughters of Lady Midlothian were to act, Lady Jane and Lady Mary, and the daughter of the Marchioness, who was also a Lady Jane, and there were to be two Miss Howards who were distant relations.


A great attempt was made to induce the two Miss Pallisers to join the bevy, but they had frankly pleaded their age.


"No woman should stand up as a bridesmaid," said the strong-minded Sophy, "who doesn't mean to get married if she can.


Now I don't mean to get married, and I won't put myself among the young people."


Lady Glencora was therefore obliged to submit to do the work with only six. But she swore that they should be very smart.

Lady Glencora swore that the bridesmaids should be very smart.


She was to give all the dresses, and Mr. Palliser was to give a brooch and an armlet to each.


"She is the only person in the world I want to pet, except yourself," Lady Glencora had said to her husband, and he had answered by giving her _carte blanche_ as regards expense.


[Illustration: Alice and her bridesmaids.]


All this was very terrible to Kate, who had not much feminine taste for finery.

All this was very terrible to Kate, who had not much taste for finery.


Of the dress she had heard,--of the dress which was waiting at Matching to be made up after her arrival,--though as yet she knew nothing of the trinkets.

There was a dress waiting at Matching to be made up after her arrival, though as yet she knew nothing of the trinkets.


There are many girls who could submit themselves at a moment to the kindness of such a woman as Lady Glencora.


Perhaps most girls would do so, for of all such women in the world, Lady Glencora was the least inclined to patronize or to be condescending in her kindnesses. But Kate Vavasor was one to whom such submission would not come easily.

Although Lady Glencora was not inclined to patronize or condescend in her kindnesses, Kate Vavasor was one to whom such submission would not come easily.


"I wish I was out of this boat," she said to Alice in the train.


When the day of action comes you will be taken away, up to heaven, upon the clouds.


"You'll find that Glencora will not desert you.


"I'd sooner be bridesmaid to Charlie Fairstairs.


My place in the world is not among Cabinet Ministers and old countesses."

My place in the world is not among Cabinet Ministers and countesses."


"Yes; it seems that yours is to be there. They are your cousins, and you have made at any rate one great friend among them,--one who is to be the biggest of them all."

"Yes; they are your cousins, and you have made one great friend at least among them."


"And you are going to throw me over, Kate?"


"To tell the truth, Alice, I sometimes think you had better throw me over.


I know it would be sad,--sad for both, but perhaps it would be better.

I know it would be sad, but perhaps it would be better.


I have done you much harm and no good; and now where I am going I shall disgrace you."

I have done you much harm and no good; and now I shall disgrace you."


She talked even of getting out at some station and returning, and would have done so had not Alice made it impossible.

She even talked of getting out at some station, and would have done so if Alice had not made it impossible.


As it was, the evening found her and Alice together entering the park-gate at Matching, in Lady Glencora's carriage.

As it was, that evening they entered the park-gate at Matching in Lady Glencora's carriage.


Lady Glencora had sent a note to the station.


"She could not come herself," she said, "because Mr. Palliser was a little fussy.


You'll understand, dear, but don't say a word."


Alice didn't say a word, having been very anxious not to lower Mr. Palliser in her cousin's respect.


None of the Lady Janes and Lady Marys were at Matching when they arrived.

None of the Lady Janes and Lady Marys were there when they arrived.


Indeed, there was no guest there but Mr. Grey, for which Kate felt herself to be extremely grateful.

Indeed, there was no guest but Mr. Grey, for which Kate felt extremely grateful.


Mr. Grey came into the hall, standing behind Mr. Palliser, who stood behind his wife. Alice passed by them both, and was at once in her lover's arms.

Mr. Grey came into the hall behind Mr. Palliser, and Alice was at once in her lover's arms.


"Then I must introduce myself," said Lady Glencora to Kate, "and my husband also."

"I must introduce myself," said Lady Glencora to Kate, "and my husband also.


This she did, and no woman in England could have excelled her in the manner of doing it.


"I have heard so much about you," said she, still keeping Kate's hand, "and I know how good you've been;--and how wicked you have been," she added in a whisper.

I have heard so much about you, and I know how good you've been; and how wicked you have been," she added in a whisper.


Then Mr. Grey was brought up to her, and they were introduced.


It was not till some days had passed over them that she felt herself at all at her ease with Mr. Grey, and I doubt whether she ever reached that point with Mr. Palliser; but Lady Glencora she knew, and liked, and almost loved, from the first moment of their meeting.

It was not for some days that she felt at her ease with Mr. Grey, and I doubt whether she ever reached that point with Mr. Palliser; but Lady Glencora she knew, and liked, and almost loved, from the first moment of their meeting.


said Lady Glencora to Alice, the first minute that they were alone.


Alice, of course, had not heard the news.


"Mr. Bott is going to marry Mrs. Marsham.


I never knew him so disgusted in my life.


Of course I don't dare to tell him so, but I am so heartily rejoiced.

Of course I don't dare to tell him, but I am so happy.


You know how I love them both, and I could not possibly wish any better reward for either."

You know how I love them both, and I could not wish any better reward for either."


Alice, who had personally known more of Mr. Bott than of Mrs. Marsham, said that she couldn't but be sorry for the lady.

Alice, who had known more of Mr. Bott than of Mrs. Marsham, said that she was sorry for the lady.


"She's old enough to be his mother," said Lady Glencora, "otherwise I really don't know any people better suited to each other.


The best is, that Mr. Bott is doing it to regain his footing with Mr. Palliser!

The best of it is, that Mr. Bott is doing it to regain his footing with Mr. Palliser!


I am sure of that;--and Plantagenet will never speak to him again.

I am sure of that - and Plantagenet will never speak to him again.


"It is hardly news yet, and of course I am very wicked to tell you.


But I feel sure Mr. Grey knows all about it, and if I didn't tell, he would."
"He hasn't told me anything yet."
"He hasn't had time; and when he does, you mustn't pretend to know.

But I feel sure Mr. Grey knows all about it, and if he tells you, you must pretend not to know.


I believe Mr. Palliser will certainly be Chancellor of the Exchequer before next month, and, if so, he'll never come in for Silverbridge again."

I believe Mr. Palliser will certainly be Chancellor of the Exchequer before next month, and, if so, he'll never stand for Silverbridge again."


"But he'll be in Parliament; will he not?"


There is a man going out for the county,--for Barsetshire,--some man whom the Duke used to favour, and he wants Plantagenet to come in for that.

There is a man going out for Barsetshire, and the Duke wants Plantagenet to stand there.


I can't understand what difference it makes."


But who do you suppose is to be the new Member for Silverbridge?"


But he told me that he had been with the Duke, and asked the Duke to let Jeffrey have the seat.


The Duke became as black as thunder, and said that Jeffrey had no fortune.


we must try to do something for him, but I really don't know how.


Then the Duke said, that Plantagenet should put in for Silverbridge some friend who would support himself; and I fancy,--mind it's only fancy,--but I fancy that Plantagenet mentioned to his Grace--one Mr. Grey."

Then the Duke said that Plantagenet should put in for Silverbridge some friend who would support himself; and I think that Plantagenet mentioned - one Mr. Grey."


"They've been talking together till sometimes I think Mr. Grey is worse than Plantagenet.


When Mr. Grey began to say something the other night in the drawing-room about sugar, I knew it was all up with you.


He'll be a financial Secretary; you see if he isn't; or a lord of something, or an under-somebody of State; and then some day he'll go mad, either because he does or because he doesn't get into the Cabinet."

He'll be a financial Secretary; you see if he isn't; or an under-somebody of State; and then some day he'll go mad, either because he does or doesn't get into the Cabinet."


Lady Glencora, as she said all this, knew well that the news she was giving would please her cousin better than any other tidings that could be told.

Lady Glencora, as she said all this, knew well that the news she was giving would please her cousin better than any other.


By degrees the guests came. The two Miss Howards were the first, and they expressed themselves as delighted with Lady Glencora's taste and with Mr. Palliser's munificence,--for at that time the brooches and armlets had been produced.

The guests came: the two Miss Howards first, who expressed themselves delighted with Lady Glencora's taste and with Mr. Palliser's generosity with the trinkets.


Kate had said very little about these matters, but the Miss Howards were loud in their thanks.

Kate had said very little about these, but the Miss Howards were loud in their thanks.


But they were good-humoured, merry girls, and the house was pleasanter after their arrival than it had been before.

They were good-humoured, merry girls, and the house was pleasanter after their arrival.


Then came the dreaded personage,--the guest,--Lady Midlothian!


On the subject of Lady Midlothian Kate had really become curious.

Kate had really become curious about her.


She had a real desire to see the face and gait of the woman, and to hear her voice.


Lady Midlothian came, and with her came Lady Jane and Lady Mary. I am by no means sure that Lady Jane and Lady Mary were not nearly as old as the two Miss Pallisers; but they were not probably so fully resolved as to the condition of their future modes of living as were those two ladies, and if so, they were not wrong to shine as bridesmaids. With them Alice had made some slight acquaintance during the last spring in London, and as they were now to attend upon her as the bride they were sufficiently gracious.

Lady Midlothian came, and with her came Lady Jane and Lady Mary, and as they were to be Alice's bridesmaids they were gracious to her.


To Kate, too, they were civil enough, and things, in public, went on very pleasantly at Matching.


A scene there was, of course, between Alice and Lady Midlothian;--a scene in private.

Of course there was a scene in private between Alice and Lady Midlothian.


"You must go through it," Lady Glencora had said, with jocose mournfulness; "and why should you not let her jump upon you a little?

"You must go through it," Lady Glencora had said, with joking mournfulness; "and why should you not let her jump upon you a little?


"But I don't like people to jump upon me," Alice said.


"And why are you to have everything just as you like it?

"Why are you to have everything just as you like it?


If you knew the things she used to say to me, you would not be such a coward.


I was sent down to her for a week, and had no power of helping myself.


And the Marchioness used to be sent for to look at me, for she never talks. She used to look at me, and groan, and hold up her hands till I hated her the worst of the two.

And the Marchioness used to look at me, and groan, and hold up her hands till I hated her the worse of the two.


Think what they did to me, and yet they are my dear friends now.


Alice could not escape altogether, and therefore was closeted with Lady Midlothian for the best part of an hour.


"Did Lady Macleod read to you what I wrote?"


"Yes,--that is, she gave me the letter to read."


If you only suppose so I shall not be contented.


I want you to appreciate my feelings towards you thoroughly.


I want you to know that I am most anxious as to your future life, and that I am thoroughly satisfied with the step you are now taking."

I am most anxious about your future life, and am thoroughly satisfied with the step you are now taking."


The Countess paused, but Alice said nothing.


Her tongue was itching to tell the old woman that she cared nothing for this expression of satisfaction; but she was aware that she had done much that was deserving of punishment, and resolved to take this as part of her penance.


She was being jumped upon, and it was unpleasant; but, after all that had happened, it was only fitting that she should undergo much unpleasantness.


"Thoroughly satisfied," continued the Countess; "and now, I only wish to refer, in the slightest manner possible, to what took place between us when we were both of us under this roof last winter."

"Thoroughly satisfied," continued the Countess; "and now, I only wish to refer, in the slightest manner possible, to what took place between us last winter."


"Why refer to it at all, Lady Midlothian?"


"Because I think it may do good, and because I cannot make you understand that I have thoroughly forgiven everything, unless I tell you that I have forgiven that also.

"Because I think it may do good, and because I wish to tell you that I have forgiven that also.


On that occasion I had come all the way from Scotland on purpose to say a few words to you."


"I am so sorry that you should have had the trouble."


I never do regret doing anything which I believe to have been my duty.

I never do regret doing anything which I believe to be my duty.


There is no knowing how far what I said then may have operated for good."


Alice thought that she knew very well, but she said nothing.


"I must confess that what I then understood to be your obstinacy,--and I must say also, if I tell the truth, your indifference to--to--to all prudential considerations whatever, not to talk of appearances and decorum, and I might say, anything like a high line of duty or moral conduct,--shocked me very much.

I must confess that what I then understood to be your obstinacy, and in truth, your indifference to all prudential considerations, shocked me very much.


Taking it altogether, I don't know that I was ever more shocked in my life.

I don't know that I was ever more shocked in my life!"


Here Lady Midlothian held up one hand in a manner that was truly imposing; "so inscrutable!

Here Lady Midlothian held up one hand in an imposing manner.


What was personally offensive to myself I could easily forgive, and I do forgive it.


Here Lady Midlothian put up both her hands gently, as though wafting the injury away into the air.

Here Lady Midlothian put up both her hands as though wafting the injury away into the air.


"But what I wish specially to say to you is this; your own conduct is forgiven also!"


Here she paused again, and Alice winced.


Who was this dreadful old Countess;--what was the Countess to her, that she should be thus tormented with the old woman's forgiveness?

What was the Countess to her, that she should be thus tormented with the old woman's forgiveness?


John Grey had forgiven her, and of external forgiveness that was enough.

John Grey had forgiven her, and that was enough.


She had not forgiven herself,--would never forgive herself altogether; and the pardon of no old woman in England could assist her in doing so.

She had not forgiven herself; and no old woman in England could help her do so.


She had sinned, but she had not sinned against Lady Midlothian.

She had sinned, but not against Lady Midlothian.


"Let her jump upon you, and have done with it," Lady Glencora had said.


She had resolved that it should be so, but it was very hard to keep her resolution.


"The Marchioness and I have talked it over," continued Lady Midlothian, "and she has asked me to speak for both her and myself."

"The Marchioness and I have talked it over," continued Lady Midlothian, "and she has asked me to speak for her.


There is comfort at any rate in that, thought Alice, who had never yet seen the Marchioness.


"We have resolved that all those little mistakes should be as though they had never been committed.


We shall both be most happy to receive you and your husband, who is, I must say, one of the most gentlemanlike looking men I ever saw.

We shall both be most happy to receive you and your husband, who is, I must say, one of the most gentlemanly men I ever saw.


It seems that he and Mr. Palliser are on most friendly,--I may say, most confidential terms, and that must be quite a pleasure to you."

It seems that he and Mr. Palliser are on most friendly terms, and that must be quite a pleasure to you."


"It's a pleasure to him, which is more to the purpose," said Alice.


And now, my dear, everything is forgiven and shall be forgotten. Come and give me a kiss, and let me wish you joy."

And now, my dear, come and give me a kiss, and let me wish you joy."


Alice did as she was bidden, and accepted the kiss and the congratulations, and a little box of jewellery which Lady Midlothian produced from out of her pocket.

Alice accepted the kiss and the congratulations, and a little box of jewellery which Lady Midlothian produced from out of her pocket.


"The diamonds are from the Marchioness, my dear, whose means, as you doubtless are aware, greatly exceed my own.


I hope they may both be worn long and happily."


I hardly know which was the worst, the lecture, the kiss, or the present.


The latter she would have declined, had it been possible; but it was not possible.

The last Alice would have declined; but it was not possible.


When she had agreed to be married at Matching she had not calculated the amount of punishment which would thereby be inflicted on her.


But I think that, though she bore it impatiently, she was aware that she had deserved it.


Although she fretted herself greatly under the infliction of Lady Midlothian, she acknowledged to herself, even at the time, that she deserved all the lashes she received.

Although she fretted greatly under the infliction of Lady Midlothian, she acknowledged to herself that she deserved all the lashes she received.


She had made a fool of herself in her vain attempt to be greater and grander than other girls, and it was only fair that her folly should be in some sort punished before it was fully pardoned.

She had made a fool of herself in her vain attempt to be greater and grander than other girls, and it was only fair that her folly should be punished before it was fully pardoned.


John Grey punished it after one fashion; by declining to allude to it, or to think of it, or to take any account of it.

John Grey punished it after one fashion, by declining to allude to it, or to take any account of it.


And now Lady Midlothian had punished it after another fashion, and Alice went out of the Countess's presence with sundry inward exclamations of "mea culpa," and with many unseen beatings of the breast.

And now Lady Midlothian had punished it after another fashion.


Two days before the ceremony came the Marchioness and her august daughter.

Two days before the ceremony the Marchioness and her daughter came.


Her Lady Jane was much more august than the other Lady Jane;--very much more august indeed.

Lady Jane was very much more august than the other Lady Jane.


She had very long flaxen hair, and very light blue eyes, which she did not move frequently, and she spoke very little,--one may almost say not at all, and she never seemed to do anything.

She had very long flaxen hair, and very light blue eyes, and she spoke very little, and she never seemed to do anything.


But she was very august, and was, as all the world knew, engaged to marry the Duke of Dumfriesshire, who, though twice her own age, was as yet childless, as soon as he should have completed his mourning for his first wife.

But she was very august, and was engaged to marry the Duke of Dumfriesshire, though he was twice her age, as soon as he had completed his mourning for his first wife.


Kate told her cousin that she did not at all know how she should ever stand up as one in a group with so august a person as this Lady Jane, and Alice herself felt that such an attendant would quite obliterate her.


But Lady Jane and her mother were both harmless.


The Marchioness never spoke to Kate and hardly spoke to Alice, and the Marchioness's Lady Jane was quite as silent as her mother.

The Marchioness never spoke to Kate and hardly spoke to Alice, and Lady Jane was quite as silent as her mother.


On the morning of this day,--the day on which these very august people came,--a telegram arrived at the Priory calling for Mr. Palliser's immediate presence in London.

On the morning after their arrival, a telegram arrived for Mr. Palliser calling for his immediate presence in London.


He came to Alice full of regret, and behaved himself very nicely. Alice now regarded him quite as a friend.

He came, full of regret, to Alice, who now regarded him quite as a friend.


"Of course I understand," she said, "and I know that the business which takes you up to London pleases you."


I am glad,--I don't mind saying so to you.


But it does not please me to think that I shall be away at your marriage.


Pray make your father understand that it was absolutely unavoidable.


But I shall see him, of course, when I come back.


And I shall see you too before very long."


"Because Mr. Grey must be at Silverbridge for his election.--But perhaps I ought not tell you his secrets."

"Because Mr. Grey must be at Silverbridge for his election. But perhaps I ought not tell you his secrets."


Then he took her into the breakfast-parlour and showed her his present.


It was a service of Svres china,--very precious and beautiful.

It was a service of Svres china, very precious and beautiful.


"I got you these things because Grey likes china."


"So do I like china," said she, with her face brighter than he had ever yet seen it.

"So do I," said she, her face brighter than he had ever yet seen it.


"I thought you would like them best," said he.


Alice looking up at him with her eyes full of tears told him that she did like them best; and then, as he wished her all happiness, and as he was stooping over her to kiss her, Lady Glencora came in.

Alice, looking up at him with her eyes full of tears, told him that she did like them best; and then, as he wished her all happiness, and was stooping over her to kiss her, Lady Glencora came in.


"I beg pardon," said she, "I was just one minute too soon; was I not?"


"She would have them sent here and unpacked," said Mr. Palliser, "though I told her it was foolish."


"Of course I would," said Lady Glencora.


"Everything shall be unpacked and shown.

All the wedding gifts are displayed here.


It's easy to get somebody to pack them again."


Much of the wedding tribute had already been deposited with the china, and among other things there were the jewels that Lady Midlothian had brought.

Among the wedding gifts were the jewels that Lady Midlothian had brought.


"Upon my word, her ladyship's diamonds are not to be sneezed at," said Lady Glencora.


"I don't care for diamonds," said Alice.


Then Lady Glencora took up the Countess's trinkets, and shook her head and turned up her nose. There was a wonderfully comic expression on her face as she did so.

Lady Glencora took up the Countess's trinkets, and shook her head and turned up her nose with a wonderfully comic expression.


"To me they are just as good as the others," said Alice.


"To me they are not, then," said Lady Glencora.

"To me they are not," said Lady Glencora.