yes; I'm returned," said Mr. Palliser, speaking with something like disdain in his voice as to the possibility of anybody having stood with a chance of success against him in his own family borough.

yes; I'm returned," said Mr. Palliser, speaking with something like disdain about the possibility of anything else in his own family borough.


For a full appreciation of the advantages of a private seat in the House of Commons let us always go to those great Whig families who were mainly instrumental in carrying the Reform Bill.


The house of Omnium had been very great on that occasion.

The house of Omnium had been very great in carrying out the Reform Bill.


It had given up much, and had retained for family use simply the single seat at Silverbridge.


But that that seat should be seriously disputed hardly suggested itself as possible to the mind of any Palliser.


The Pallisers and the other great Whig families have been right in this.


They have kept in their hands, as rewards for their own services to the country, no more than the country is manifestly willing to give them.


"Yes; I have been returned," said Mr. Palliser.


"I'm sorry to see, Miss Vavasor, that your cousin has not been so fortunate."

"I'm sorry to see, Miss Vavasor, that your cousin has not been so fortunate," he said.


Those Metropolitan elections cost so much trouble and so much money, and under the most favourable circumstances, are so doubtful.

"Those Metropolitan elections cost so much trouble and money, and are so doubtful.


A man is never sure there till he has fought for his seat three or four times."


"This has been the third time with him," said Alice, "and he is a poor man."


"Dear, dear," said Mr. Palliser, who himself knew nothing of such misfortunes.

"Dear, dear," said Mr. Palliser, who knew nothing of such misfortunes.


"I have always thought that those seats should be left to rich commercial men who can afford to spend money upon them.


Instead of that, they are generally contested by men of moderate means.


Another of my friends in the House has been thrown out."


"Mr. Bott," said the unthinking husband.


The red-haired man, that used to stand about, you know, at Matching;--he has lost his seat in Parliament.

The red-haired man, that used to stand about, you know, at Matching.


I suppose he'll go and stand about somewhere in Lancashire, now."


A very indiscreet woman was poor Lady Glencora.


Mr. Palliser's face became black beneath _The Times_ newspaper.


"I did not know," said he, "that my friend Mr. Bott and Miss Vavasor were enemies."

"I did not know," said Mr. Palliser stiffly, "that my friend Mr. Bott and Miss Vavasor were enemies."


I don't suppose they were enemies," said Glencora.


"But he was a man whom no one could help observing,--and disliking."

"But he was a man whom no one could help disliking."


"He was a man I specially disliked," said Alice, with great courage.


"He may be very well in Parliament; but I never met a man who could make himself so disagreeable in society.


I really did feel myself constrained to be his enemy."


"I hope he did nothing at Matching, to--to--to--," began Mr. Palliser, apologetically.

"I hope he did nothing at Matching, to - to -" began Mr. Palliser.


"Nothing especially to offend me, Mr. Palliser,--except that he had a way that I especially dislike of trying to make little secret confidences."

"Nothing especially to offend me, Mr. Palliser - except that he had an unpleasant way of trying to make little secret confidences.


"And then he was so ugly," said Lady Glencora.


"I felt certain that he endeavoured to do mischief," said Alice.

I felt certain that he was trying to do mischief," said Alice.


"Of course he did," said Lady Glencora; "and he had a habit of rubbing his head against the papers in the rooms, and leaving a mark behind him that was quite unpardonable."

"Of course he was," said Lady Glencora; "and he had a habit of rubbing his head against the wallpaper, and leaving a mark that was quite unpardonable."


Mr. Palliser was effectually talked down, and felt himself constrained to abandon his political ally.

Mr. Palliser felt himself forced to abandon his political ally.


Perhaps he did this the easier as the loss which Mr. Bott had just suffered would materially interfere with his political utility.

Perhaps this was easier now that Mr. Bott had lost his seat.


"I suppose he will remain now among his own people," said Mr. Palliser.


"Let us hope he will," said Lady Glencora,--"and that his own people will appreciate the advantage of his presence."


Then there was nothing more said about Mr. Bott.


It was evening, and while they were still sitting among their letters and newspapers, there came a shout along the water, and the noise of many voices from the bridge.

It was evening, and while they were still sitting among their letters and newspapers, there came a shout along the water, and the noise of voices from the bridge.


Suddenly, there shot down before them in the swift running stream the heads of many swimmers in the river, and with the swimmers came boats carrying their clothes.

Suddenly, there shot down before them in the swift running stream the heads of many swimmers in the river, alongside boats carrying their clothes.


They went by almost like a glance of light upon the waters, so rapid was the course of the current.

They went by almost like a glance of light upon the waters, so rapid was the current.


There was the shout of voices,--the quick passage of the boats,--the uprising, some half a dozen times, of the men's hands above the surface; and then they were gone down the river, out of sight,--like morsels of wood thrown into a cataract, which are borne away instantly.


"It seems to be very dangerous," said Mr. Palliser.


"I don't know how they can stop themselves."


"Why should they want to stop themselves?"


"Think how cool the water must be, and how beautiful to be carried along so quickly, and to go on, and on, and on!

"Think how cool the water must be, and how beautiful to be carried along so quickly!"


As no encouragement was given to this proposition, Lady Glencora did not repeat it; but stood leaning on the rail of the balcony, and looking enviously down upon the water.

She stood leaning on the rail of the balcony, and looking enviously down upon the water.


Alice was, of course, thinking of that other evening, when perhaps the same swimmers had come down under the bridge and before the balcony, and where George Vavasor was sitting in her presence.

Alice was, of course, thinking of that other evening, when George Vavasor was with her - and


It was, I think, on that evening, that she made up her mind to separate herself from Mr. Grey.

when she made up her mind to separate herself from Mr. Grey.


On the day after that, Mr. Palliser and his party went on to Lucerne, making that journey, as I have said, by slow stages; taking Schaffhausen and Zurich in their way.

The next day, Mr. Palliser and his party went on to Lucerne, making that journey by slow stages via Schaffhausen and Zurich.


At Lucerne, they established themselves for some time, occupying nearly a dozen rooms in the great hotel which overlooks the lake.

At Lucerne, they stayed for some time in the great hotel which overlooks the lake.


Here there came to them a visitor, of whose arrival I will speak in the next chapter.


These arrangements as to the return of Mr. Palliser's party to London did not, of course, include Mr. Grey.

These arrangements for the return of Mr. Palliser's party to London did not, of course, include Mr. Grey.

Chapter 74: Showing What Happened in the Churchyard


They were generally discussed in Mr. Grey's absence, and communicated to him by Mr. Palliser.


"I suppose we shall see you in England before long?"


"I shall be able to tell you that before you go," said Grey.


"Not but that in any event I shall return to England before the winter."

"In any event I shall return to England before winter."


"Then come to us at Matching," said Mr. Palliser.


Say that you'll come for the first fortnight in December.


After that we always go to the Duke, in Barsetshire.


Though, by-the-by, I don't suppose we shall go anywhere this year," Mr. Palliser added, interrupting the warmth of his invitation, and reflecting that, under the present circumstances, perhaps, it might be improper to have any guests at Matching in December.

- though I don't suppose we shall go anywhere this year." Mr. Palliser reflected that, under the circumstances, it might be improper to have any guests at Matching in December.


But he had become very fond of Mr. Grey, and on this occasion, as he had done on some others, pressed him warmly to make an attempt at Parliament.

But he had become very fond of Mr. Grey, and now, as on several occasions, pressed him warmly to make an attempt at Parliament.


"It isn't nearly so difficult as you think," said he, when Grey declared that he would not know where to look for a seat.

"It isn't nearly so difficult as you think," said he.


"You might easily find some quiet little borough."


"Quiet little boroughs have usually got their own quiet little Members," said Grey.


"They're fond of change; and if you like to spend a thousand pounds, the thing isn't difficult.


He was not a man prone to be talked out of his own way of life, and the very fact that George Vavasor had been in Parliament would of itself have gone far towards preventing any attempt on his part in that direction.

He was not a man to be talked out of his own way of life, and the very fact that George Vavasor had been in Parliament deterred him from making any attempt himself.


Alice had also wanted him to go into public life, but he had put aside her request as though the thing were quite out of the question,--never giving a moment to its consideration.

Alice had also wanted him to go into public life, but he had put aside her request without giving it consideration.


Had she asked him to settle himself and her in Central Africa, his manner and mode of refusal would have been the same.


It was this immobility on his part,--this absolute want of any of the weakness of indecision, which had frightened her, and driven her away from him.

It was this immobility on his part - this absolute lack of any of the weakness of indecision, which had frightened her, and driven her away from him.


He was partly aware of this; but that which he had declined to do at her solicitation, he certainly would not do at the advice of any one else.

He was partly aware of this; but if he had not done it at her suggestion, he certainly would not do on the advice of anyone else.


So it was that he argued the matter with himself.


Had he now allowed himself to be so counselled, with what terrible acknowledgements of his own faults must he not have presented himself before Alice?

If he changed his mind, what terrible acknowledgements of his own faults must he not have made before Alice?


"I suppose books, then, will be your object in life?"


"I hope they will be my aids," Grey answered.


"I almost doubt whether any object such as that you mean is necessary for life, or even expedient.

"I almost doubt whether any object is necessary for life.


It seems to me that if a man can so train himself that he may live honestly and die fearlessly, he has done about as much as is necessary."

It seems to me that if a man can live honestly and die fearlessly, he has done about as much as is necessary."


"He has done a great deal, certainly," said Mr. Palliser, who was not ready enough to carry on the argument as he might have done had more time been given to him to consider it.

"He has done a great deal, certainly," said Mr. Palliser, who would have been ready enough to carry on the argument if he had more time.


He knew very well that he himself was working for others, and not for himself; and he was aware, though he had not analysed his own convictions on the matter, that good men struggle as they do in order that others, besides themselves, may live honestly, and, if possible, die fearlessly.

He knew that he himself was working for others, and not for himself; and he was aware that good men struggle as they do in order that others, besides themselves, may live honestly and die fearlessly.


The recluse of Nethercoats had thought much more about all this than the rising star of the House of Commons; but the philosophy of the rising star was the better philosophy of the two, though he was by far the less brilliant man.

The recluse of Nethercoats had thought much more about all this than the rising star of the House of Commons; but the rising star had the better philosophy of the two, though he was a less brilliant man.


"I don't see why a man should not live honestly and be a Member of Parliament as well," continued Mr. Palliser, when he had been silent for a few minutes.

"I don't see why a man should not live honestly and be a Member of Parliament as well," continued Mr. Palliser.


"I am sure that there are such men, and that the country is under great obligation to them.


But they are subject to temptations which a prudent man like myself may perhaps do well to avoid."

But they have temptations which a prudent man may do well to avoid."


But though he spoke with an assured tone, he was shaken, and almost regretted that he did not accept the aid which was offered to him.


It is astonishing how strong a man may be to those around him,--how impregnable may be his exterior, while within he feels himself to be as weak as water, and as unstable as chaff.


But the object which he had now in view was a renewal of his engagement with Alice, and he felt that he must obtain an answer from her before they left Lucerne.

What he now wished for was a renewal of his engagement with Alice, and he felt that he must obtain an answer from her before they left Lucerne.


If she still persisted in refusing to give him her hand, it would not be consistent with his dignity as a man to continue his immediate pursuit of her any longer.

If she still persisted in refusing to give him her hand, it would not be consistent with his dignity to continue his immediate pursuit of her any longer.


In such case he must leave her, and see what future time might bring forth.

In that case he must leave her, and see what the future might bring.


He believed himself to be aware that he would never offer his love to another woman; and if Alice were to remain single, he might try again, after the lapse of a year or two.

If Alice were to remain single, he might try again, after a year or two.


But if he failed now,--then, for that year or two, he would see her no more.

But if he failed now, then for that year or two he would see her no more.


Having so resolved, and being averse to anything like a surprise, he asked her, as he left her one evening, whether she would walk with him on the following morning.

Having resolved this, he asked her one evening whether she would walk with him on the following morning - the morning of her last day at Lucerne.


That morning would be the morning of her last day at Lucerne; and as she assented she knew well what was to come.

As she agreed she knew well what was to come.


She said nothing to Lady Glencora on the subject, but allowed the coming prospects of the Palliser family to form the sole subject of their conversation that night, as it had done on every night since the great news had become known.

She said nothing to Lady Glencora about it, but that night,


They were always together for an hour every evening before Alice was allowed to go to bed, and during this hour the anxieties of the future father and mother were always discussed till Alice Vavasor was almost tired of them.


But she was patient with her friend, and on this special night she was patient as ever.


But when she was released and was alone, she made a great endeavour to come to some fixed resolution as to what she would do on the morrow,--some resolution which should be absolutely resolute, and from which no eloquence on the part of any one should move her.

when she was alone, she tried to decide what she would do.


But such resolutions are not easily reached, and Alice laboured through half the night almost in vain.


She knew that he was as true to her as the sun is true to the earth.


She knew that she would be, in all respects, safe in his hands.

She knew that she would be safe in his hands.


She knew that Lady Glencora would be delighted, and her father gratified.


She knew that the countesses would open their arms to her,--though I doubt whether this knowledge was in itself very persuasive.


She knew that by such a marriage she would gain all that women generally look to gain when they give themselves away.


But, nevertheless, as far as she could decide at all, she decided against her lover.


She had no right of her own to be taken back after the evil that she had done, and she did not choose to be taken back as an object of pity and forgiveness.

She had no right to be taken back after the evil that she had done, and she did not choose to be taken back as an object of pity and forgiveness.


said her cousin, when she came in with her hat on, soon after breakfast.


"Then it's all settled, and you haven't told me!"


"All that is settled I have told you very often.


He asked me yesterday to walk with him this morning, and I could not well refuse him."

He asked me yesterday to walk with him this morning, and I could not very well refuse him."


"Why should you have wished to refuse him?"


But I hate scenes, and I think it would have been pleasanter for us to have parted without any occasion for special words."

"I think it would have been pleasanter for us to have parted without any need for special words."


"Of course he is now going to say the very thing that he has come all this way for the purpose of saying.

"Of course he is now going to say the very thing that he has come all this way for.


He has been wonderfully slow about it; but then slow as he is, you are slower.

He has been wonderfully slow about it; but you are slower.


If you don't make it up with him now, I really shall think you are very wicked.

If you don't make up with him now, I really shall think you are very wicked.


I am becoming like Lady Midlothian;--I can't understand it.


I know you want to be his wife, and I know he wants to be your husband, and the only thing that keeps you apart is your obstinacy,--just because you have said you wouldn't have him.

I know you want to be his wife, and I know he wants to be your husband, and the only thing that keeps you apart is your obstinacy.


My belief is that if Lady Midlothian and the rest of us were to pat you on the back, and tell you how right you were, you'd ask him to take you, out of defiance.


You may be sure of this, Alice; if you refuse him now, it'll be for the last time."


This, and much more of the same kind, she bore before Mr. Grey came to take her, and she answered to it all as little as she could.


"You are making me very unhappy, Glencora," she said once.

"You are making me very unhappy, Glencora," she said.


"I wish I could break you down with unhappiness," Lady Glencora answered, "so that he might find you less stiff, and hard, and unmanageable."


Directly upon that he came in, looking as though he had no business on hand more exciting than his ordinary morning's tranquil employments.

Just then he came in, looking as though he had no business on hand more exciting than his ordinary morning's tranquil employments.


"So you and Alice are going to make your adieux," said Lady Glencora.


"It must be done sooner or later," said Mr. Grey; and then they went off.

"It must be done sooner or later," said Mr. Grey; and off they went.


Those who know Lucerne,--and almost everybody now does know Lucerne,--will remember the big hotel which has been built close to the landing-pier of the steamers, and will remember also the church that stands upon a little hill or rising ground, to the left of you, as you come out of the inn upon the lake.


The church is immediately over the lake, and round the church there is a burying-ground, and skirting the burying-ground there are cloisters, through the arches and apertures of which they who walk and sit there look down immediately upon the blue water, and across the water upon the frowning menaces of Mount Pilate.


It is one of the prettiest spots in that land of beauty; and its charm is to my feeling enhanced by the sepulchral monuments over which I walk, and by which I am surrounded, as I stand there.

is one of the prettiest spots in that land of beauty.


Up here, into these cloisters, Alice and John Grey went together.

Up here, into the cloisters, Alice and John Grey went together.


I doubt whether he had formed any purpose of doing so.


She certainly would have gone without question in any direction that he might have led her.


The distance from the inn up to the church-gate did not take them ten minutes, and when they were there their walk was over.


But the place was solitary, and they were alone; and it might be as well for Mr. Grey to speak what words he had to say there as elsewhere.


They had often been together in those cloisters before, but on such occasions either Mr. Palliser or Lady Glencora had been with them.


On their slow passage up the hill very little was spoken, and that little was of no moment.


"We will go in here for a few minutes," he said.


"It is the prettiest spot about Lucerne, and we don't know when we may see it again."

"It is a lovely spot, and we don't know when we may see it again."


So they went in, and sat down on one of the embrasures that open from the cloisters over the lake.

The place was deserted as they went in, and sat down on one of the embrasures that open over the lake.


"And yet I have been here now two years running."


She shuddered as she remembered that in that former year George Vavasor had been with her.

She shuddered as she remembered the time when George Vavasor had been with her


As she thought of it all she hated herself.


Over and over again she had told herself that she had so mismanaged the latter years of her life that it was impossible for her not to hate herself.


No woman had a clearer idea of feminine constancy than she had, and no woman had sinned against that idea more deeply.


He gave her time to think of all this as he sat there looking down upon the water.

He gave her time to think of all this as he sat looking down upon the water.


"And yet I would sooner live in Cambridgeshire," were the first words he spoke.

"And yet I would sooner live in Cambridgeshire," he said.


"Partly because all beauty is best enjoyed when it is sought for with some trouble and difficulty, and partly because such beauty, and the romance which is attached to it, should not make up the staple of one's life.

"Partly because such beauty and romance should not make up the staple of one's life.


Romance, if it is to come at all, should always come by fits and starts."


"I should like to live in a pretty country."


"And would like to live a romantic life,--no doubt; but all those things lose their charm if they are made common.

"And would like to live a romantic life; but all those things lose their charm if they are made common.


When a man has to go to Vienna or St. Petersburg two or three times a month, you don't suppose he enjoys travelling?"


"All the same, I should like to live in a pretty country," said Alice.


"And I want you to come and live in a very ugly country."


Then he paused for a minute or two, not looking at her, but gazing still on the mountain opposite.


She did not speak a word, but looked as he was looking.


She knew that the request was coming, and had been thinking about it all night; but now that it had come she did not know how to bear herself.


"I don't think," he went on to say, "that you would let that consideration stand in your way, if on other grounds you were willing to become my wife."

"I don't think," he went on, "that you would let that stand in your way, if on other grounds you were willing to become my wife."


"Because Nethercoats is not so pretty as Lucerne."


"It would have nothing to do with it," said Alice.

"Prettiness would have nothing to do with it," said Alice.


"Nothing; nothing at all," repeated Alice.


Will you come and be my wife, and help me to be happy amidst all that ugliness?


Will you come and be my one beautiful thing, my treasure, my joy, my comfort, my counsellor?"


Alice, this has been a bad year to me, and I do not think that it has been a happy one for you."


"Let us forget it,--or rather, let us treat it as though it were forgotten.

"Let us forget it - or rather, let us treat it as though it were forgotten.


You were, at any rate, so much mine that I had a right to boast of my possession among my friends."

- enough mine, at least, that I had a right to boast of my possession among my friends."


I had but one or two to whom I could speak of you, but they told me that I was going to be a happy man.


As to myself, I was sure that I was to be so.


No man was ever better contented with his bargain than I was with mine.

And no man was ever better contented with his bargain than I was with mine.


Let us go back to it, and the last twelve months shall be as though they had never been."


If it could, I should be worse even than I am."


"Because I cannot forgive myself what I have done, and because you ought not to forgive me."

- because I cannot forgive myself what I have done, and you ought not to forgive me."


There has never been an hour with me in which there has been an offence of yours rankling in my bosom unforgiven.


I think you have been foolish, misguided,--led away by a vain ambition, and that in the difficulty to which these things brought you, you endeavoured to constrain yourself to do an act, which, when it came near to you,--when the doing of it had to be more closely considered, you found to be contrary to your nature."

I think you have been foolish, misguided - led away by a vain ambition, and that in your difficulty, you tried to force yourself to do something which you then found to be contrary to your nature."


Now, as he spoke thus, she turned her eyes upon him, and looked at him, wondering that he should have had power to read her heart so accurately.

As he spoke, she turned her eyes upon him, wondering that he should have read her heart so accurately.


"I never believed that you would marry your cousin.


When I was told of it, I knew that trouble had blinded you for awhile.

When I was told of it, I knew that trouble had blinded you for a while.


You had driven yourself to revolt against me, and upon that your heart misgave you, and you said to yourself that it did not matter then how you might throw away all your sweetness.

You had driven yourself to revolt against me, and your heart misgave you, and you said to yourself that it did not matter then how you might throw away all your sweetness.


You see that I speak of your old love for me with the frank conceit of a happy lover."


"But the storm passes over the tree and does not tear it up by the roots or spoil it of all its symmetry.

"But the storm passes over the tree and does not tear it up by the roots.


When we hear the winds blowing, and see how the poor thing is shaken, we think that its days are numbered and its destruction at hand.


Alice, when the winds were shaking you, and you were torn and buffeted, I never thought so.

Alice, when the winds were shaking you, and you were torn and buffeted, I never thought your destruction was at hand.


There may be some who will forgive you slowly.


But I, who have known you better than any one,--yes, better than any one,--I have forgiven you everything, have forgiven you instantly.

But I, who have known you better than any one, I have forgiven you everything, have forgiven you instantly.


She sat quite still, looking at the lake and the mountain beyond, but she said nothing.


"My need of you is much greater now," he went on to say, "than when I first asked you to share the world with me.

"My need of you is much greater now," he went on to say, "than when I first asked you.


Then I could have borne to lose you, as I had never boasted to myself that you were my own,--had never pictured to myself the life that might be mine if you were always to be with me.

Then I could have borne to lose you, as I had never pictured to myself the life that might be mine if you were with me.


But since that day I have had no other hope,--no other hope but this for which I plead now.

But since that day I have had no other hope but this.


"You do not know me," she said; "how vile I have been!


You do not think what it is,--for a woman to have promised herself to one man while she loved another."

You do not think what it is, for a woman to have promised herself to one man while she loved another."


Do I not tell you that I did forgive it the moment that I heard it?


Do you not hear me say that I never for a moment thought that you would marry him?


Alice, you should scold me for my vanity, for I have believed all through that you loved me, and me only.

Alice, you should scold me for my vanity, for I have believed all through that you loved me.


Come to me, dear, and tell me that it is so, and the past shall be only as a dream."


"They will cease to be bitter dreams if your head be upon my shoulder.


You will cease to reproach yourself when you know that you have made me happy."


"I shall never cease to reproach myself.


I have done that which no woman can do and honour herself afterwards.


"The noblest jilt that ever yet halted between two minds!


There has been no touch of selfishness in your fickleness.


I think I could be hard enough upon a woman who had left me for greater wealth, for a higher rank,--who had left me even that she might be gay and merry.

I think I could be hard enough upon a woman who had left me for greater wealth, or higher rank.


I thought you were too firm in your own will, and--"

I thought you were too firm in your own will, and-"


I am a fallen creature, and have no longer a right to such thoughts.

I no longer have a right to such thoughts.


It will be better for us both that you should leave me,--and forget me.

It will be better for us both that you should leave me - and forget me.


There are things which, if a woman does them, should never be forgotten;--which she should never permit herself to forget."

There are things which, if a woman does them, she should never permit herself to forget."


"And am I to be punished, then, because of your fault?


He got up, and standing before her, looked down upon her.


"Alice, if you will tell me that you do not love me, I will believe you, and will trouble you no more.

"Alice, if you tell me that you do not love me, I will believe you, and will trouble you no more.


I know that you will say nothing to me that is false.

I know that you will say nothing that is false.


Through it all you have spoken no word of falsehood.


If you love me, after what has passed, I have a right to demand your hand.

But if you love me, I have a right to demand your hand.


My happiness requires it, and I have a right to expect your compliance.


If you love me, Alice, I tell you that you dare not refuse me.


If you do so, you will fail hereafter to reconcile it to your conscience before God."


Then he stopped his speech, and waited for a reply; but Alice sat silent beneath his gaze, with her eyes turned upon the tombstones beneath her feet.

Then he waited; but Alice sat silent, with her eyes turned upon the tombstones.


Of course she had no choice but to yield.


He, possessed of power and force infinitely greater than hers, had left her no alternative but to be happy.

He had left her no alternative but to be happy.


But there still clung to her what I fear we must call a perverseness of obstinacy, a desire to maintain the resolution she had made,--a wish that she might be allowed to undergo the punishment she had deserved.

But there still clung to her what I fear we must call a perverseness of obstinacy, a desire to keep the resolution she had made - to undergo the punishment she had deserved.


She was as a prisoner who would fain cling to his prison after pardon has reached him, because he is conscious that the pardon is undeserved.


And it may be that there was still left within her bosom some remnant of that feeling of rebellion which his masterful spirit had ever produced in her.

And it may be that she still felt some remnant of the rebellion which his masterful spirit had always produced in her.


He was so imperious in his tranquillity, he argued his question of love with such a manifest preponderance of right on his side, that she had always felt that to yield to him would be to confess the omnipotence of his power.

He was so imperious in his tranquillity - he argued with such a manifest weight of right on his side, that she had always felt that to yield to him would be to confess the omnipotence of his power.


She knew now that she must yield to him,--that his power over her was omnipotent.

She knew now that she must yield to him.


She was pressed by him as in some countries the prisoner is pressed by the judge,--so pressed that she acknowledged to herself silently that any further antagonism to him was impossible.


Nevertheless, the word which she had to speak still remained unspoken, and he stood over her, waiting for her answer.

Nevertheless, the word which she had to speak still remained unspoken, and he stood waiting for her answer.


Then slowly he sat down beside her, and gradually he put his arm round her waist.


She shrank from him, back against the stonework of the embrasure, but she could not shrink away from his grasp.

She shrank from him, against the stonework, but she could not shrink away from his grasp.


She put up her hand to impede his, but his hand, like his character and his words, was full of power.


"Alice," he said, as he pressed her close with his arm, "the battle is over now, and I have won it."


"You win everything,--always," she said, whispering to him, as she still shrank from his embrace.

"You win everything - always," she said, whispering to him, as she still shrank from his embrace.


Then he put his face over her and pressed his lips to hers.


I wonder whether he was made happier when he knew that no other touch had profaned those lips since last he had pressed them?


The next day was Sunday, and it was well known at the lodging-house in the Close that Mr. Cheesacre would not be seen there then.


Mrs. Greenow had specially warned him that she was not fond of Sunday visitors, fearing that otherwise he might find it convenient to give them too much of his society on that idle day.

Mrs. Greenow had warned Mr. Cheesacre that she was not fond of Sunday visitors, fearing that otherwise he might give them too much of his society.


In the morning the aunt and niece both went to the Cathedral, and then at three o'clock they dined.

In the morning the aunt and niece went to the Cathedral, and at three o'clock they dined.


But on this occasion they did not dine alone.


Charlie Fairstairs, who, with her family, had come home from Yarmouth, had been asked to join them; and in order that Charlie might not feel it dull, Mrs. Greenow had, with her usual good-nature, invited Captain Bellfield.

Charlie Fairstairs had been asked to join them; and so that Charlie might not feel it dull, Mrs. Greenow had, with her usual good-nature, invited Captain Bellfield.


The captain carved the turkey, giving due honour to Mr. Cheesacre as he did so; and when he nibbled his celery with his cheese, he was prettily jocose about the richness of the farmyard at Oileymead.

The captain carved the turkey, giving due honour to Mr. Cheesacre as he did so; and when he nibbled his celery with his cheese, he joked prettily about the richness of the farmyard at Oileymead.


"He is the most generous man I ever met," said Mrs. Greenow.


"So he is," said Captain Bellfield, "and we'll drink his health.


It's a great pity he shouldn't get himself a wife."

It's a pity he shouldn't get himself a wife."


"I don't know any man more calculated to make a young woman happy," said Mrs. Greenow.


"I'm told that his house and all about it is quite beautiful."


"Especially the straw-yard and the horse-pond," said the Captain.


And then they drank the health of their absent friend.


It had been arranged that the ladies should go to church in the evening, and it was thought that Captain Bellfield would, perhaps, accompany them; but when the time for starting came, Kate and Charlie were ready, but the widow was not, and she remained,--in order, as she afterwards explained to Kate, that Captain Bellfield might not seem to be turned out of the house.

The ladies were to go to church in the evening, and it was thought that Captain Bellfield would accompany them; but when it was time to set out, Kate and Charlie were ready, but the widow was not. She stayed behind - as she afterwards explained to Kate - so as not to turn Captain Bellfield out of the house.


He had made no offer churchwards, and,--"Poor man," as Mrs. Greenow said in her little explanation, "if I hadn't let him stay there, he would have had no resting-place for the sole of his foot, but some horrid barrack-room!"


Therefore the Captain was allowed to find a resting-place in Mrs. Greenow's drawing-room; but on the return of the young ladies from church, he was not there, and the widow was alone, "looking back," she said, "to things that were gone;--that were gone.

However, when the young ladies returned from church, he was not there, and the widow was alone, "looking back," she said, "to things that were gone.


But come, dears, I am not going to make you melancholy."


So they had tea, and Mr. Cheesacre's cream was used with liberality.

So they had tea, with Mr. Cheesacre's cream.


Captain Bellfield had not allowed the opportunity to slip idly from his hands.

Captain Bellfield had not allowed the opportunity to slip.


In the first quarter of an hour after the younger ladies had gone, he said little or nothing, but sat with a wine-glass before him, which once or twice he filled from the decanter.

After the younger ladies had gone, he said little, but sat with a wine-glass before him, which once or twice he filled from the decanter.


"I'm afraid the wine is not very good," said Mrs. Greenow.


"But one can't get good wine in lodgings."


"I'm not thinking very much about it, Mrs. Greenow; that's the truth," said the Captain.

"I'm not thinking about it, Mrs. Greenow; that's the truth," said the Captain.


"I daresay the wine is very good of its kind."


Then there was another period of silence between them.


"I suppose you find it rather dull, living in lodgings; don't you?"

"I suppose you find it rather dull, living in lodgings?"


"I don't know quite what you mean by dull, Captain Bellfield; but a woman circumstanced as I am, can't find her life very gay.

"A woman in my circumstances can't find her life very gay, Captain Bellfield.


It's not a full twelvemonth yet since I lost all that made life desirable, and sometimes I wonder at myself for holding up as well as I do."

It's not yet a full year yet since I lost all that made life happy."


"It's wicked to give way to grief too much, Mrs. Greenow."


"That's what my dear Kate always says to me, and I'm sure I do my best to overcome it."

"That's what my dear Kate says, and I do my best to overcome it."


Upon this soft tears trickled down her cheek, showing in their course that she at any rate used no paint in producing that freshness of colour which was one of her great charms.

Upon this, soft tears trickled down her cheek.


Then she pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and removing it, smiled faintly on the Captain.

She pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and smiled faintly.


"I didn't intend to treat you to such a scene as this, Captain Bellfield."


"There is nothing on earth, Mrs. Greenow, I desire so much, as permission to dry those tears."

"There is nothing on earth, Mrs. Greenow, that I desire so much as permission to dry those tears."


"Time alone can do that, Captain Bellfield;--time alone."

"Time alone can do that, Captain Bellfield."


"But cannot time be aided by love and friendship and affection?"


What would life be worth without the solace of friendship?"

What would life be worth without friendship?"


"And how much better is the warm glow of love?"


Captain Bellfield, as he asked this question, deliberately got up, and moved his chair over to the widow's side.


But the widow as deliberately changed her position to the corner of a sofa.


The Captain did not at once follow her, nor did he in any way show that he was aware that she had fled from him.

The Captain refrained from following her immediately.


"How much better is the warm glow of love?"


he said again, contenting himself with looking into her face with all his eyes.


He had hoped that he would have been able to press her hand by this time.


"The warm, glow of love, Captain Bellfield, if you have ever felt it--"

"The warm, glow of love, Captain Bellfield, if you have ever felt it-"


There can be no longer any mask kept upon my feelings.


I never could restrain the yearnings of my heart when they have been strong."


"Have they often been strong, Captain Bellfield?"


"Yes; often;--in various scenes of life; on the field of battle--"


"I did not know that you had seen active service."


"What!--not on the plains of Zuzuland, when with fifty picked men I kept five hundred Caffres at bay for seven weeks;--never knew the comfort of a bed, or a pillow to my head, for seven long weeks!"

"What! - not on the plains of Zuzuland, when with fifty men I kept five hundred Kaffirs at bay - and never knew the comfort of a bed for seven long weeks!


Did I not see active service at Essiquebo, on the burning coast of Guiana, when all the wild Africans from the woods rose up to destroy the colony; or again at the mouth of the Kitchyhomy River, when I made good the capture of a slaver by my own hand and my own sword!"

And did I not see active service at Essiquebo, on the burning coast of Guiana, when all the wild Africans from the woods rose up to destroy the colony; or at the mouth of the Kitchyhomy River, when I captured a slaver with my own hand and my own sword!"


"I really hadn't heard," said Mrs. Greenow.


Cheesy is the best fellow in the world in some respects, but he cannot bring himself to speak well of a fellow behind his back.


Who was the first to storm the heights of Inkerman?"

Yet who was the first to storm the heights of Inkerman?"


demanded the Captain, thinking in the heat of the moment that he might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.


"But when you spoke of yearnings, I thought you meant yearnings of a softer kind."

"When you spoke of yearnings, I thought you meant yearnings of a softer kind."


I don't know why I have been led away to speak of deeds that are very seldom mentioned, at any rate by myself.

I have been led away to speak of deeds that are seldom mentioned.


But I cannot bear that a slanderous backbiting tongue should make you think that I have seen no service.


I have served her Majesty in the four quarters of the globe, Mrs. Greenow; and now I am ready to serve you in any way in which you will allow me to make my service acceptable."

I have served her Majesty in the four quarters of the globe, Mrs. Greenow; and now I am ready to serve you in any way in which you will allow me."


Whereupon he took one stride over to the sofa, and went down upon his knees before her.

He took one stride over to the sofa, and went down upon his knees before her.


"But, Captain Bellfield, I don't want any services.


Pray get up now; the girl will come in."


I am planted here till some answer shall have been made to me; till some word shall have been said that may give me a little hope."

I am planted here till you give me a little hope."


Then he attempted to get hold of her hand, but she put them behind her back and shook her head.

Then he attempted to take her hand, but she put her hands behind her back and shook her head.


"Arabella," he said, "will you not speak a word to me?"


"Not a word, Captain Bellfield, till you get up; and I won't have you call me Arabella.


I am the widow of Samuel Greenow, than whom no man was more respected where he was known, and it is not fitting that I should be addressed in that way."

I am the widow of Samuel Greenow, and it is not fitting that I should be addressed in that way."


"But I want you to become my wife,--and then--"

"But I want you to become my wife - and then-"


Get up, Captain Bellfield, or I'll push you over and then ring the bell.


A man never looks so much like a fool as when he's kneeling down,--unless he's saying his prayers, as you ought to be doing now.

A man never looks so much like a fool as when he's kneeling down, unless he's saying his prayers, as you ought to be doing now.


It's just half past seven, and I told Jeannette to come to me then."

It's half past seven, and I told Jeannette to come to me then."


There was that in the widow's voice which made him get up, and he rose slowly to his feet.

Something in the widow's voice made him get up, and he rose slowly to his feet.


"You've pushed all the chairs about, you stupid man," she said.


Then in one minute she had restored the scattered furniture to their proper places, and had rung the bell.

In one minute she had restored them to their proper places, and had rung the bell.


When Jeannette came she desired that tea might be ready by the time that the young ladies returned, and asked Captain Bellfield if a cup should be set for him.

When Jeannette came she desired that tea might be ready by the time the young ladies returned, and asked Captain Bellfield if he would stay for a cup.


This he declined, and bade her farewell while Jeannette was still in the room.


She shook hands with him without any sign of anger, and even expressed a hope that they might see him again before long.

She shook hands without any sign of anger, and even expressed a hope that they might see him again before long.


"He's a very handsome man, is the Captain," said Jeannette, as the hero of the Kitchyhomy River descended the stairs.

"He's a very handsome man, is the Captain," said Jeannette, as he descended the stairs.


"You shouldn't think about handsome men, child," said Mrs. Greenow.


"Not no more than anybody else; but if a man is handsome, ma'am, why it stands to reason that he is handsome."


"I suppose Captain Bellfield has given you a kiss and a pair of gloves."


"As for gloves and such like, Mr. Cheesacre is much better for giving than the Captain; as we all know; don't we, ma'am?

"As for gloves and such like, Mr. Cheesacre is much better for giving than the Captain.


But in regard to kisses, they're presents as I never takes from anybody.

But kisses is presents as I never takes from anybody.


If the Captain ever gets a wife, let him kiss her."


On the following Tuesday morning Mr. Cheesacre as usual called in the Close, but he brought with him no basket.

On the following Tuesday morning Mr. Cheesacre called as usual in the Close, but brought no basket.


He merely left a winter nosegay made of green leaves and laurestinus flowers, and sent up a message to say that he should call at half past three, and hoped that he might then be able to see Mrs. Greenow--on particular business.

He merely left a winter nosegay made of green leaves and viburnum flowers, and sent a message to say that he should call at half past three, and hoped that he might then be able to see Mrs. Greenow on particular business.


"That means you, Kate," said Mrs. Greenow.


"No, it doesn't; it doesn't mean me at all.


It seems to be the fashionable plan now for gentlemen to make offers by deputy.

"It seems to be the fashion now for gentlemen to make offers by deputy.


If he says anything, I can only refer him to you, you know."


"Yes, you can; you can tell him simply that I won't have him.

"You can tell him simply that I won't have him.


But he is no more thinking of me than--"


"Than he is of me, you were going to say."


"No, aunt; I wasn't going to say that at all."


If he does mean anything, of course you can please yourself; but I really think you might do worse."


At half past three o'clock punctually Mr. Cheesacre came to the door, and was shown up-stairs.

At half past three o'clock Mr. Cheesacre arrived, and was shown upstairs.


He was told by Jeannette that Captain Bellfield had looked in on the Sunday afternoon, but that Miss Fairstairs and Miss Vavasor had been there the whole time.

He was told by Jeannette that Captain Bellfield had looked in on Sunday afternoon, but that Miss Fairstairs and Miss Vavasor had been there the whole time.


He had not got on his black boots nor yet had his round topped hat.


And as he did wear a new frock coat, and had his left hand thrust into a kid glove, Jeannette was quite sure that he intended business of some kind.

As he wore a new frock coat, and kid gloves, Jeannette was quite sure that he intended business of some kind.


With new boots, creaking loudly, he walked up into the drawing-room, and there he found the widow alone.

His new boots creaking loudly, he walked up into the drawing-room, and found the widow alone.


"Thanks for the flowers," she said at once.


"It was so good of you to bring something that we could accept."


"As for that," said he, "I don't see why you should scruple about a trifle of cream, but I hope that any such feeling as that will be over before long."


To this the widow made no answer, but she looked very sweetly on him as she bade him sit down.


He did sit down; but first he put his hat and stick carefully away in one corner, and then he pulled off his glove--somewhat laboriously, for his hand was warm.

First he put his hat and stick carefully in a corner, and laboriously pulled off his gloves.


He was clearly prepared for great things.


As he pushed up his hair with his hands there came from his locks an ambrosial perfume,--as of marrow-oil, and there was a fixed propriety of position of every hair of his whiskers, which indicated very plainly that he had been at a hairdresser's shop since he left the market.

There came from his hair an ambrosial perfume - as of bone-marrow oil - and the fixed position of his whiskers indicated that he had recently been at a hairdresser's.


Nor do I believe that he had worn that coat when he came to the door earlier in the morning.


If I were to say that he had called at his tailor's also, I do not think that I should be wrong.


said Mrs. Greenow, seeing that her guest wanted some little assistance in leading off the conversation.

said Mrs. Greenow, seeing that her guest needed some assistance in starting the conversation.


"Pretty well, Mrs. Greenow; pretty well.


Everything will go very well if I am successful in the object which I have on hand to-day."

Everything will go very well if I am successful in my object today."


"I'm sure I hope you'll be successful in all your undertakings."


"In all my business undertakings I am, Mrs. Greenow.


There isn't a shilling due on my land to e'er a bank in Norwich; and I haven't thrashed out a quarter of last year's corn yet, which is more than many of them can say.

I don't owe a shilling to any bank in Norwich."


But there ain't many of them who don't have to pay rent, and so perhaps I oughtn't to boast."


"I know that Providence has been very good to you, Mr. Cheesacre, as regards worldly matters."

"I know that Providence has been very good to you, Mr. Cheesacre."


"And I haven't left it all to Providence, either.

"I haven't left it all to Providence, either.


Those who do, generally go to the wall, as far as I can see.


I'm always at work late and early, and I know when I get a profit out of a man's labour and when I don't, as well as though it was my only chance of bread and cheese."


"I always thought you understood farming business, Mr. Cheesacre."


I like a bit of fun well enough, when the time for it comes, as you saw at Yarmouth.

I like a bit of fun well enough, as you saw at Yarmouth.


And I keep my three or four hunters, as I think a country gentleman should; and I shoot over my own ground.

And I keep my three or four hunters, as I think a country gentleman should.


There are men, like Bellfield, who won't work.


"But he has fought his country's battles, Mr. Cheesacre."


I suppose he's been telling you some of his old stories.


He was ten years in the West Indies, and all his fighting was with the mosquitoes."


But do you inquire before you believe that story.

But you inquire before you believe that story.


But as I was saying, Mrs. Greenow, you have seen my little place at Oileymead."


And there's only one woman on earth that I would wish to see in that position.


Arabella Greenow, will you be that woman?"


As he made the offer he got up and stood before her, placing his right hand upon his heart.

He got up and stood before her, placing his right hand upon his heart.


[Illustration: "Arabella Greenow, will you be that woman?"]


Since I saw you what other woman has been anything to me; or, indeed, I may say before?


Since the first day I saw you I felt that there my happiness depended."

Since the first day I saw you I felt that my happiness depended on you."


"Oh, Mr. Cheesacre, I thought you were looking elsewhere."


I have the highest regard and esteem for Miss Vavasor, but really--"

I have the highest regard for Miss Vavasor, but really-"


"Mr. Cheesacre, what am I to say to you?"


Say that all I have at Oileymead shall be yours.


Say that the open carriage for a pair of ponies to be driven by a lady which I have been looking at this morning shall be yours.


Yes, indeed; the sweetest thing you ever saw in your life,--just like one that the lady of the Lord Lieutenant drives about in always.


"Ah, Mr. Cheesacre, you don't know what it is to have buried the pride of your youth hardly yet twelve months."

"Ah, Mr. Cheesacre, you don't know what it is to have buried the pride of your youth hardly twelve months."


"But you have buried him, and there let there be an end of it.


Your sitting here all alone, morning, noon, and night, won't bring him back.

sitting here all alone won't bring him back.


I can mourn for him in solitude and in silence."

I can mourn for him in solitude and silence, Mr. Cheesacre."


What's the use of it,--breaking your heart for nothing,--and my heart too.

What's the use of breaking your heart for nothing - and my heart too."


And Mr. Cheesacre spoke in a tone that was full of reproach.


We understand each other well enough now, surely.


And he approached her as though to put his arm round her waist.


But at that moment there came a knock at the door, and Jeannette, entering the room, told her mistress that Captain Bellfield was below and wanted to know whether he could see her for a minute on particular business.

But at that moment there came a knock at the door, and Jeannette, entering, told her mistress that Captain Bellfield was below and wanted to know whether he could see her for a minute on particular business.


"Show Captain Bellfield up, certainly," said Mrs. Greenow.


Mr. Grey and wife were duly carried away from Matching Priory by post horses, and did their honeymoon, we may be quite sure, with much satisfaction.

Mr. Grey and wife were duly carried away from Matching Priory for their honeymoon.

Chapter 80: The Story Is Finished Within the Halls of the Duke of Omnium


When Alice was first asked where she would go, she simply suggested that it should not be to Switzerland.

When Alice was first asked where she wished to go, she simply suggested that it should not be to Switzerland.


They did, in truth, go by slow stages to Italy, to Venice, Florence, and on to Rome; but such had not been their intention when they first started on their journey.

They travelled slowly through Italy to Rome, although that had not been their original intention,


At that time Mr. Grey believed that he would be wanted again in England, down at Silverbridge in Barsetshire, very shortly.

because Mr. Grey believed that he would be wanted in England, down at Silverbridge, very shortly.


But before he had married a week he learned that all that was to be postponed.

But he soon learned that things were to be postponed.


The cup of fruition had not yet reached Mr. Palliser's lips.


"There will be no vacancy either in the county or in the borough till Parliament meets."

"There will be no vacancy till Parliament meets."


That had been the message sent by Mr. Palliser to Mr. Grey.

That had been the message sent to him by Mr. Palliser.


Lady Glencora's message to Alice had been rather more full, having occupied three pages of note paper, the last of which had been crossed, but I do not know that it was more explicit.

Lady Glencora's message to Alice had been rather longer, covering three pages


She had abused Lord Brock, had abused Mr. Finespun, and had abused all public things and institutions, because the arrangements as now proposed would be very comfortable to Alice, but would not, as she was pleased to think, be very comfortable to herself.

; she had abused Lord Brock, had abused Mr. Finespun, and had abused all public things, because the arrangements now proposed would not be very comfortable to herself.


"You can go to Rome and see everything and enjoy yourself, which I was not allowed to do; and all this noise and bother, and crowd of electioneering, will take place down in Barsetshire just when I am in the middle of all my trouble."

"You can go to Rome and see everything and enjoy yourself, which I was not allowed to do; and all this bother of electioneering will take place just when I am in the middle of all my trouble."


There were many very long letters came from Lady Glencora to Rome during the winter,--letters which Alice enjoyed thoroughly, but which she could not but regard as being very indiscreet.

Many very long letters came from Lady Glencora to Rome during the winter - letters which Alice enjoyed thoroughly, but which were very indiscreet.


The Duke was at the Castle during the Christmas week, and the descriptions of the Duke and of his solicitude as to his heir were very comic.

The Duke was at the Castle for Christmas, and Glencora's descriptions of him were very comic.


"He comes and bends over me on the sofa in the most stupendous way, as though a woman to be the mother of his heir must be a miracle in nature.

"He comes and bends over me on the sofa in the most stupendous way, as though a woman who may the mother of his heir must be a miracle.


He is quite awful when he says a word or two, and more awful in his silence.


The devil prompted me the other day, and I said I hoped it would be a girl.

The other day the devil prompted to say that I hoped it would be a girl.


There was a look came over his face which nearly frightened me.

The look on his face nearly frightened me.


If it should be, I believe he will turn me out of the house; but how can I help it?

If it is a girl, I believe he will turn me out of the house; but how can I help it?


I wish you were going to have a baby at the same time.


Then, if yours was a boy and mine a girl, we'd make a change."

Then, if yours was a boy and mine a girl, we'd exchange."


Lady Glencora would write indiscreet letters like this, which Alice could not show to her husband.

, and it was a pity Alice could not show it to her husband.


But December and January wore themselves away, and the time came in which the Greys were bound to return to England.

But December and January wore themselves away, and the time came for the Greys to return to England.


The husband had very fully discussed with his wife that matter of his parliamentary ambition, and found in her a very ready listener.

The husband had discussed his parliamentary ambition with his wife, and found her a very ready listener.


Having made up his mind to do this thing, he was resolved to do it thoroughly, and was becoming almost as full of politics, almost as much devoted to sugar, as Mr. Palliser himself.

Having made up his mind to do this, he was resolved to do it thoroughly, and was becoming almost as full of politics as Mr. Palliser himself.


He at any rate could not complain that his wife would not interest herself in his pursuits.


Then, as they returned, came letters from Lady Glencora, written as her troubles grew nigh.


The Duke had gone, of course; but he was to be there at the appointed time.


"Oh, I do so wish he would have a fit of the gout in London,--or at Timbuctoo," said Lady Glencora.


When they reached London they first heard the news from Mr. Vavasor, who on this occasion condescended to meet them at the railway.

Then, when they reached London, they heard the news from Mr. Vavasor, who met them at the railway.


"The Duke has got an heir," he said, before the carriage-door was open;--"born this morning!"

"The Duke has got an heir," he said, before the carriage-door was open; "born this morning!"


One might have supposed that it was the Duke's baby, and not the baby of Lady Glencora and Mr. Palliser.

One might have supposed that it was the Duke's baby, and not Lady Glencora's and Mr. Palliser's.


There was a note from Mr. Palliser to Mr. Grey.


said the note, "Lady Glencora and the boy"--Mr. Palliser had scorned to use the word child--"Lady Glencora and the boy are quite as well as can be expected.

it said, "Lady Glencora and the boy are quite as well as can be expected.


Both the new writs were moved for last night."


Mr. Palliser's honours, as will be seen, came rushing upon him all at once.

Mr. Palliser's honours came rushing upon him all at once.


Wondrous little baby,--_purpureo genitus!_ What have the gods not done for thee, if thou canst only manage to live till thy good things are all thine own,--to live through all the terrible solicitude with which they will envelope thee!


Better than royal rank will be thine, with influence more than royal, and power of action fettered by no royalty.

Better than royal rank will be thine, with influence more than royal.


Royal wealth which will be really thine own, to do with it as it beseemeth thee.


Thou wilt be at the top of an aristocracy in a country where aristocrats need gird themselves with no buckram.


All that the world can give will be thine; and yet when we talk of thee religiously, philosophically, or politico-economically, we are wont to declare that thy chances of happiness are no better,--no better, if they be no worse,--than are those of thine infant neighbour just born, in that farmyard cradle.

All that the world can give will be thine; and yet when we talk of thee, we are wont to declare that thy chances of happiness are no better than those of thine infant neighbour, in the farmyard cradle.


Who shall say that they are better or that they are worse?

Who shall say that they are better or worse?


Or if they be better, or if they be worse, how shall we reconcile to ourselves that seeming injustice?

And how shall we reconcile to ourselves that seeming injustice?


And now we will pay a little visit to the small one born in the purple, and the story of that visit shall be the end of our history.

And now we will pay a little visit to the small one, to end our history.


It was early in April, quite early in April, and Mr. and Mrs. Grey were both at Gatherum Castle.

It was early in April, when Mrs. Grey was at Gatherum Castle


Mrs. Grey was there at the moment of which we write, but Mr. Grey was absent at Silverbridge with Mr. Palliser.


This was the day of the Silverbridge election, and Mr. Grey had gone to that ancient borough, to offer himself as a candidate to the electors, backed by the presence and aid of a very powerful member of the Cabinet.

This was the day of the Silverbridge election.


Lady Glencora and Alice were sitting up-stairs with the small, purple-born one in their presence, and the small, purple-born one was lying in Alice's lap.

Lady Glencora and Alice were sitting upstairs with the small, noble-born one lying in Alice's lap.


"It is such a comfort that it is over," said the mother.


You won't lie awake trembling how on earth you will bear your disgrace if one of the vile weaker sex should come to disturb the hopes of your lords and masters;--for I had two, which made it so much more terrible."

You won't lie awake trembling how on earth you will bear your disgrace if it should be a girl."


"I'm sure Mr. Palliser would not have said a word."


"No, he would have said nothing,--nor would the Duke.

"No, he would have said nothing, nor would the Duke.


The Duke would simply have gone away instantly, and never have seen me again till the next chance comes,--if it ever does come.

The Duke would simply have gone away instantly, and never have seen me again till the next chance comes - if it ever does come.


And Mr. Palliser would have been as gentle as a dove;--much more gentle than he is now, for men are rarely gentle in their triumph.

And Mr. Palliser would have been as gentle as a dove.


But I should have known what they both thought and felt."


"Yes, my bonny boy,--you have made it all right for me;--have you not?"

"Yes, my bonny boy, you have made it all right for me; have you not?"


And Lady Glencora took her baby into her own arms.


"You have made everything right, my little man.


But oh, Alice, if you had seen the Duke's long face through those three days; if you had heard the tones of the people's voices as they whispered about me; if you had encountered the oppressive cheerfulness of those two London doctors,--doctors are such bad actors,--you would have thought it impossible for any woman to live throughout.

But, oh, Alice, if you had seen the Duke's long face through those three days; if you had heard the oppressive cheerfulness of those two London doctors - doctors are such bad actors - you would have thought it impossible for any woman to live through it. But you have made everything right, my little man."


There's one comfort;--if my mannikin lives, I can't have another eldest.


He looks like living;--don't he, Alice?"


Then were perpetrated various mysterious ceremonies of feminine idolatry which were continued till there came a grandly dressed old lady, who called herself the nurse, and who took the idol away.

Then there were various ceremonies of feminine idolatry till an old nurse carried the idol away.


[Illustration: "Yes, my bonny boy,--you have made it all right for me."]


In the course of that afternoon Lady Glencora took Alice all over the house.

That afternoon Lady Glencora took Alice all over the house.


It was a castle of enormous size, quite new,--having been built by the present proprietor,--very cold, very handsome, and very dull.

It was a castle of enormous size, quite new, very cold, very handsome, and very dull.


said Alice, as she stood looking round her in the grand hall, which was never used as an entrance except on very grand occasions.

said Alice, as she stood looking round her in the grand hall.


And it cost--oh, I can't tell you how much it cost.


Well;--that would be nothing, as the Duke no doubt had the money in his pocket to do what he liked with at the time.

Well, that would be nothing to the Duke.


But the joke is, nobody ever thinks of living here.


Who'd live in such a great, overgrown place such as this, if they could get a comfortable house like Matching?


Do you remember Longroyston and the hot-water pipes?


I always think of the poor Duchess when I come through here.


The Duke comes for one week in the year, and Plantagenet says he hates to do that.


As for me, nothing on earth shall ever make me live here.


I was completely in their power and couldn't help their bringing me here the other day;--because I had, as it were, disgraced myself."


"In being so long, you know, before that gentleman was born.


But they shan't play me the same trick again.


There are some of the British public come to see one of the British sights.


One has to run about to avoid being caught by the visitors.

to avoid being caught by the public tour."


The housekeeper tells me they always grumble because they are not allowed to go into my little room up-stairs."


On the evening of that day Mr. Palliser and Mr. Grey returned home from Silverbridge together.

That evening Mr. Palliser and Mr. Grey returned home from Silverbridge together.


The latter was then a Member of Parliament, but the former at that moment was the possessor of no such dignity.

Mr. Grey was by then a Member of Parliament, but


The election for the borough was now over, whereas that for the county had not yet taken place.

Mr. Palliser had to wait for the county election.


But there was no rival candidate for the position, and Mr. Palliser was thoroughly contented with his fate.

But there was no rival candidate for the position, and Mr. Palliser was thoroughly contented.


He was at this moment actually Chancellor of the Exchequer, and in about ten days' time would be on his legs in the House proposing for his country's use his scheme of finance.

He was now Chancellor of the Exchequer, and in about ten days' time would be on his feet in the House proposing his scheme of finance.


The two men were seated together in an open carriage, and were being whirled along by four horses.

The two men were seated together in an open carriage.


They were both no doubt happy in their ambition, but I think that of the two, Mr. Palliser showed his triumph the most.


Not that he spoke even to his friend a word that was triumphant in its tone.

he did not speak a word that was triumphant in its tone.


But there was a nervousness in his contentment which told the tale to any observer who might know how to read it.


"I hope you'll like it," he said to Grey.


"I shall never like it as you do," Grey answered.


"In the first place, I have not begun it so young."


"Any time before thirty-five is young enough."


"For useful work, yes,--but hardly for enjoyment in the thing.

"For useful work, yes - but hardly for enjoyment in the thing.


And then I don't believe it all as you do.


To you the British House of Commons is everything."


"Yes;--everything," said Mr. Palliser with unwonted enthusiasm;--"everything, everything.

"Yes; everything," said Mr. Palliser with unusual enthusiasm; "everything, everything.


That and the Constitution are everything."


If you really take to the work, and put yourself into harness, it will be so.


The man who is counted by his colleagues as number one on the Treasury Bench in the English House of Commons, is the first of living men.

The man who is number one on the Treasury Bench in the English House of Commons, is the first of living men.


I don't know that I ever said it before; but that's my opinion."


"And who is the second;--the purse-bearer to this great man?"

"And who is the second; the purse-bearer to this great man?"


I wonder how we shall find Lady Glencora and the boy."


They had then arrived at the side entrance to the Castle, and Mr. Grey ran up-stairs to his wife's room to receive her congratulations.

They had arrived at the Castle, and Mr. Grey ran upstairs to his wife's room to receive her congratulations.


"They tell me so, but I don't know whether I actually am one till I've taken the oaths."


There's no position in the world so glorious!"


"It's a pity you are not Mr. Palliser's wife.


It is so much more than I have deserved.


"I hope nothing that I have ever said has driven you to it."


"I'd do more than that, dear, to make you happy," he said, as he put his arm round her and kissed her; "more than that, at least if it were in my power."

"I'd do more than that, dear, to make you happy," he said, as he put his arm round her and kissed her.


Probably my readers may agree with Alice, that in the final adjustment of her affairs she had received more than she had deserved.

Probably my readers may agree with Alice that she had received more than she deserved.


All her friends, except her husband, thought so.


But as they have all forgiven her, including even Lady Midlothian herself, I hope that they who have followed her story to its close will not be less generous.


Kate Vavasor had sent to her brother only the first half of her cousin's letter, that half in which Alice had attempted to describe what had taken place between her and Mr. Grey.

Kate Vavasor had sent to her brother only the first half of her cousin's letter, in which Alice had described her meeting with Mr. Grey.

Chapter 14: Alice Vavasor Becomes Troubled


In doing this, Kate had been a wicked traitor,--a traitor to that feminine faith against which treason on the part of one woman is always unpardonable in the eyes of other women.

In doing this, Kate had been a wicked traitor to Alice.


But her treason would have been of a deeper die had she sent the latter portion, for in that Alice had spoken of George Vavasor himself.

But her treason would have been worse if she had sent the second half, in which Alice had spoken of George Vavasor himself.


But even of this treason, Kate would, I think, have been guilty, had the words which Alice wrote been of a nature to serve her own purpose if read by her brother.

Kate might have done even this, if Alice


They had spoken of George as a man with whom any closer connection than that which existed at present was impossible, and had been written with the view of begging Kate to desist from making futile attempts in that direction.

spoken of George as a man with whom any closer connection was impossible. She had begged Kate to cease making futile attempts in that direction.


"I feel myself driven," Alice had said, "to write all this, as otherwise,--if I were simply to tell you that I have resolved to part from Mr. Grey,--you would think that the other thing might follow.

"I feel myself driven," Alice had said, "to write all this, as otherwise, when I tell you that I have resolved to part from Mr. Grey, you would think that the other thing might follow.


I should think myself untrue in my friendship to you if I did not tell you about Mr. Grey; and you will be untrue in your friendship to me if you take advantage of my confidence by saying more about your brother."


This part of Alice's letter Kate had not sent to George Vavasor;--"But the other thing shall follow," Kate had said, as she read the words for the second time, and then put the papers into her desk.

"But the other thing shall follow," Kate said, as she read the words.


To give Kate Vavasor her due, she was, at any rate, unselfish in her intrigues.

To give Kate Vavasor her due, she was unselfish in her intrigues.


She was obstinately persistent, and she was moreover unscrupulous, but she was not selfish.

She was obstinately persistent, and unscrupulous, but she was not selfish.


Many years ago she had made up her mind that George and Alice should be man and wife, feeling that such a marriage would be good at any rate for her brother.


It had been almost brought about, and had then been hindered altogether through a fault on her brother's part.

It had almost happened, and had then been hindered through her brother's fault.


But she had forgiven him this sin as she had forgiven many others, and she was now at work in his behalf again, determined that they two should be married, even though neither of them might be now anxious that it should be so.

But she was now at work on his behalf again, determined that the two should be married.


The intrigue itself was dear to her, and success in it was necessary to her self-respect.

The intrigue itself was dear to her, and success was necessary to her self-respect.


She answered Alice's letter with a pleasant, gossiping epistle, which shall be recorded, as it will tell us something of Mrs. Greenow's proceedings at Yarmouth.

She answered Alice's letter with a pleasant, gossiping epistle about Mrs. Greenow's proceedings at Yarmouth.


Kate had promised to stay at Yarmouth for a month, but she had already been there six weeks, and was still under her aunt's wing.

Kate had promised to stay at Yarmouth for a month, but she had already been there six weeks, under her aunt's wing. She wrote:


I know how difficult it is to deal with you, and therefore I sit down to answer your letter with fear and trembling, lest I should say a word too much, and thereby drive you back, or not say quite enough and thereby fail to encourage you on.

; but I answer your letter with fear and trembling, lest I should say too much.


I have long thought that Mr. Grey could not make you happy, and as I have thought so, how can I not be glad?

I have long thought that Mr. Grey could not make you happy.


It is no use saying that he is good and noble, and all that sort of thing.

He is good and noble, and all that sort of thing


But he was not suited to you, and his life would have made you wretched.

; but he was not suited to you, and his life would have made you wretched.


And as you are the dearest friend I have, of course I rejoice mightily.


I can understand accurately the sort of way in which the interview went.

I can well understand how the interview went.


I can see him so plainly as he stood up in unruffled self-possession, ignoring all that you said, suggesting that you were feverish or perhaps bilious, waving his hand over you a little, as though that might possibly do you some small good, and then taking his leave with an assurance that it would be all right as soon as the wind changed.

I can see him so plainly in his unruffled self-possession, ignoring all that you said, suggesting that you were feverish, waving his hand over you as though that might do you good, and leaving with an assurance that it would be all right as soon as the wind changed.


I suppose it's very noble in him, not taking you at your word, and giving you, as it were, another chance; but there is a kind of nobility which is almost too great for this world.

I suppose it's very noble in him, giving you, as it were, another chance; but there is a kind of nobility which is almost too great for this world.


I think very well of you, my dear, as women go, but I do not think well enough of you to believe that you are fit to be Mr. John Grey's wife.


You have known my mind from the first to the last, and, therefore, what would be the good of my mincing matters?


No woman wishes her dearest friend to marry a man to whom she herself is antipathetic.

No woman wishes her dearest friend to marry a man whom she herself does not like.


You would have been as much lost to me, had you become Mrs. Grey of Nethercoats, Cambridgeshire, as though you had gone to heaven.

You would have been lost to me as Mrs. Grey of Nethercoats.


I don't say but what Nethercoats may be a kind of heaven,--but then one doesn't wish one's friend that distant sort of happiness.


A flat Eden I can fancy it, hemmed in by broad dykes, in which cream and eggs are very plentiful, where an Adam and an Eve might drink the choicest tea out of the finest china, with toast buttered to perfection, from year's end to year's end; into which no money troubles would ever find their way, nor yet any naughty novels.


But such an Eden is not tempting to me, nor, as I think, to you.


I can fancy you stretching your poor neck over the dyke, longing to fly away that you might cease to be at rest, but knowing that the matrimonial dragon was too strong for any such flight.


If ever bird banged his wings to pieces against gilded bars, you would have banged yours to pieces in that cage.

if ever bird banged his wings to pieces against gilded bars, you would have banged yours to pieces in that cage.


You say that you have failed to make him understand that the matter is settled.


I need not say that of course it is settled, and that he must be made to understand it.

Of course it is settled, and he must be made to understand it.


You owe it to him now to put him out of all doubt.


He is, I suppose, accessible to the words of a mortal, god though he be.


But I do not fear about this, for, after all, you have as much firmness about you as most people;--perhaps as much as he has at bottom, though you may not have so many occasions to show it.


As to that other matter I can only say that you shall be obliged, as far as it is in my power to obey you.


For what may come out from me by word of mouth when we are together, I will not answer with certainty.


But my pen is under better control, and it shall not write the offending name.


And now I must tell you a little about myself;--or rather, I am inclined to spin a yarn, and tell you a great deal.

And now I must tell you a little about myself; or rather, tell you a great deal.


If I were to say he hasn't declared himself, I should hardly give you a fair idea of my success.


And yet he has not declared himself,--and, which is worse, is very anxious to marry a rival.

As yet he has not declared himself, and, what's worse, is very anxious to marry a rival - my aunt.


But it's a strong point in my favour that my rival wants him to take me, and that he will assuredly be driven to make me an offer sooner or later, in obedience to her orders.

But she wants him to take me, so he will be driven to make me an offer sooner or later, in obedience to her orders.


My aunt is my rival, and I do not feel the least doubt as to his having offered to her half a dozen times.


But then she has another lover, Captain Bellfield, and I see that she prefers him.

My aunt has another lover, Captain Bellfield, and she prefers him.


He is a penniless scamp and looks as though he drank.


He paints his whiskers too, which I don't like; and, being forty, tries to look like twenty-five.


Otherwise he is agreeable enough, and I rather approve of my aunt's taste in preferring him.


But my lover has solid attractions, and allures me on by a description of the fat cattle which he sends to market.


He is a man of substance, and should I ever become Mrs. Cheesacre, I have reason to think that I shall not be left in want.

He is a man of substance, and should I ever become Mrs. Cheesacre, I should not be left in want.


We went up to his place on a visit the other day.

We went to visit his place the other day.


Oileymead is the name of my future home;--not so pretty as Nethercoats, is it?


We reached the place at ten and left it at four, and he managed to give us three meals.


I'm sure we had before our eyes at different times every bit of china, delf, glass, and plate in the establishment.

I'm sure we saw every bit of china, glass, and plate in the establishment.


He made us go into the cellar, and told us how much wine he had got there, and how much beer.

He made us go into the cellar, and told us how much wine and beer he had got there.


"It's all paid for, Mrs. Greenow, every bottle of it," he said, turning round to my aunt, with a pathetic earnestness, for which I had hardly given him credit.

"It's all paid for, Mrs. Greenow, every bottle," he said with a pathetic earnestness.


"Everything in this house is my own; it's all paid for.


"I don't call anything a man's own till it's paid for.


Now that jacket that Bellfield swells about with on the sands at Yarmouth,--that's not his own,--and it's not like to be either."

Now that jacket that Bellfield swells about with - that's not his own."


And then he winked his eye as though bidding my aunt to think of that before she encouraged such a lover as Bellfield.


He took us into every bedroom, and disclosed to us all the glories of his upper chambers.

Then he took us into every bedroom, and showed us all their glories.


It would have done you good to see him lifting the counterpanes, and bidding my aunt feel the texture of the blankets!

You should have seen him bidding my aunt feel the thickness of the blankets!


And then to see her turn round to me and say:--"Kate, it's simply the best-furnished house I ever went over in my life!"

And she turned round to me and said:
"Kate, it's simply the best-furnished house I ever went over in my life!"


--"It does seem very comfortable," said I.


"Yes, I don't think there's anybody can say that Oileymead isn't comfortable."

"Yes," said he, "nobody can say that Oileymead isn't comfortable."


The attractions are the same;--only in the one place you would have a god for your keeper, and in the other a brute.

The attractions are the same; only in the one place you would have a god for your keeper, and in the other a brute.


For myself, if ever I'm to have a keeper at all, I shall prefer a man.


But when we got to the farmyard his eloquence reached the highest pitch.


"Mrs. Greenow," said he, "look at that," and he pointed to heaps of manure raised like the streets of a little city.

"Mrs. Greenow," said he, "look at that," and he pointed to heaps of manure.


"I've more muck upon this place here than any farmer in Norfolk, gentle or simple; I don't care who the other is."

"I've more muck upon this place here than any farmer in Norfolk."


Only fancy, Alice; it may all be mine; the blankets, the wine, the muck, and the rest of it.


So my aunt assured me when we got home that evening.


When I remarked that the wealth had been exhibited to her and not to me, she did not affect to deny it, but treated that as a matter of no moment.

When I remarked that the wealth had been exhibited to her and not to me, she did not deny it, but


"He wants a wife, my dear," she said, "and you may pick him up to-morrow by putting out your hand."

said, "He wants a wife, my dear, and you may have him tomorrow by putting out your hand."


When I remarked that his mind seemed to be intent on low things, and specially named the muck, she only laughed at me.

When I mentioned the muck, she only laughed.


"Money's never dirty," she said, "nor yet what makes money."

"Money's never dirty," she said, "nor what makes money."


She talks of taking lodgings in Norwich for the winter, saying that in her widowed state she will be as well there as anywhere else, and she wants me to stay with her up to Christmas.

She talks of taking lodgings in Norwich for the winter, and she wants me to stay with her up to Christmas.


Indeed she first proposed the Norwich plan on the ground that it might be useful to me,--with a view to Mr. Cheesacre, of course; but I fancy that she is unwilling to tear herself away from Captain Bellfield.


At any rate to Norwich she will go, and I have promised not to leave her before the second week in November.

At any rate, I have promised not to leave her before the second week in November.


With all her absurdities and faults, I like her.


Her faults are terrible faults, but she has not the fault of hiding them by falsehood.


She is never stupid, and she is very good-natured.


She would have allowed me to equip myself from head to foot at her expense, if I would have accepted her liberality, and absolutely offered to give me my trousseau if I would marry Mr. Cheesacre.

She absolutely offered to give me my trousseau if I would marry Mr. Cheesacre.


I live in the hope that you will come down to the old place at Christmas.

I hope that you will come up to the old place at Christmas.


I won't offend you more than I can help.


And if I don't see you there, where am I to see you?


If I were you I would certainly not go to Cheltenham.


Do you ever dream of the river at Basle?


[Illustration: "Mrs. Greenow, look at that."]


Alice had almost lost the sensation created by the former portion of Kate's letter by the fun of the latter, before she had quite made that sensation her own.


The picture of the Cambridgeshire Eden would have displeased her had she dwelt upon it, and the allusion to the cream and toast would have had the very opposite effect to that which Kate had intended.


Perhaps Kate had felt this, and had therefore merged it all in her stories about Mr. Cheesacre.


"I will go to Cheltenham," she said to herself.

"I will go to Cheltenham," said Alice to herself after reading this.


I shall never be his wife;--but, till we have parted altogether, I will show him that I think well of his advice."

I shall never be his wife; but I will show him that I think well of his advice."


That same afternoon she told her father that she would go to Lady Macleod's at Cheltenham before the end of the month.

That afternoon she told her father that she would go to Lady Macleod's at Cheltenham.


She was, in truth, prompted to this by a resolution, of which she was herself hardly conscious, that she would not at this period of her life be in any way guided by her cousin.

She was, in truth, prompted by a resolution, of which she was herself hardly conscious, that she would not be guided by her cousin just now.


Having made up her mind about Mr. Grey, it was right that she should let her cousin know her purpose; but she would never be driven to confess to herself that Kate had influenced her in the matter.


Lady Macleod would no doubt vex her by hourly solicitations that the match might be renewed; but, if she knew herself, she had strength to withstand Lady Macleod.

Lady Macleod would no doubt vex her by begging that the match might be renewed; but she had strength to withstand Lady Macleod.


She received one letter from Mr. Grey before the time came for her departure, and she answered it, telling him of her intention;--telling him also that she now felt herself bound to explain to her father her present position.

She received one letter from Mr. Grey before she departed, and she answered it, telling him that she now felt bound to explain the position to her father.


"I tell you this," she said, "in consequence of what you said to me on the matter.


My father will know it to-morrow, and on the following morning I shall start for Cheltenham.


I have heard from Lady Macleod and she expects me."


On the following morning she did tell her father, standing by him as he sat at his breakfast.

On the following morning she told her father at breakfast.


said he, putting down his tea-cup and looking up into her face; "What!

said he, putting down his tea-cup. "What!


"No, papa; I know how strange you must think it."


"And you say that there has been no quarrel."


By degrees I have learned to feel that I should not make him happy as his wife."

But I have learned to feel that I should not make him happy as his wife."


"It's d----d nonsense," said Mr. Vavasor.


Now such an expression as this from him, addressed to his daughter, showed that he was very deeply moved.


"And a man of honour, and with good means, and with all that knowledge and reading which you profess to like.


Look here, Alice; I am not going to interfere, nor shall I attempt to make you marry anyone.

Look here, Alice; I am not going to interfere.


You are your own mistress as far as that is concerned.


But I do hope, for your sake and for mine,--I do hope that there is nothing again between you and your cousin."

But I do hope that there is nothing again between you and your cousin."


"I did not like your going abroad with him, though I didn't choose to interrupt your plan by saying so.

"I did not like your going abroad with him, though I didn't want to say so.


But if there were anything of that kind going on, I should be bound to tell you that your cousin's position at present is not a good one.


"There is nothing between us, papa; but if there were, men speaking ill of him would not deter me."


"And men speaking well of Mr. Grey will not do the other thing."
"No.


I know very well that women can be obstinate."


"I haven't come to this resolution without thinking much about it, papa."

I have thought a great deal about it, papa."


You are your own mistress, and your fortune is in your own keeping.


"Well; I can't make you marry John Grey.


I think you very foolish, and if he comes to me I shall tell him so."


You are going down to Cheltenham, are you?"


"Yes, papa; I have promised Lady Macleod."


I'd sooner it should be you than me; that's all I can say."


Then he took up his newspaper, thereby showing that he had nothing further to say on the matter, and Alice left him alone.


The whole thing was so vexatious that even Mr. Vavasor was disturbed by it.

The whole thing was so vexatious that when Mr. Vavasor


As it was not term time he had no signing to do in Chancery Lane, and could not, therefore, bury his unhappiness in his daily labour,--or rather in his labour that was by no means daily.


So he sat at home till four o'clock, expressing to himself in various phrases his wonder that "any man alive should ever rear a daughter."


And when he got to his club the waiters found him quite unmanageable about his dinner, which he ate alone, rejecting all proposition of companionship.

went to his club the waiters found him quite unmanageable about his dinner.


But later in the evening he regained his composure over a glass of whiskey-toddy and a cigar.

But later in the evening he regained his composure over a whiskey-toddy and a cigar.


"She's got her own money," he said to himself, "and what does it matter?


I don't suppose she'll marry her cousin.


I don't think she's fool enough for that.

I don't think she's fool enough to marry her cousin.


And after all she'll probably make it up again with John Grey."

And she'll probably make it up again with John Grey."


And in this way he determined that he might let this annoyance run off him, and that he need not as a father take the trouble of any interference.

So he decided that he need not take any fatherly trouble about it.


But while he was at his club there came a visitor to Queen Anne Street, and that visitor was the dangerous cousin of whom, according to his uncle's testimony, men at present did not speak well.

But while he was at his club a visitor came to Queen Anne Street: the dangerous cousin.


Alice had not seen him since they had parted on the day of their arrival in London,--nor, indeed, had heard of his whereabouts.

Alice had not seen him since they had parted on their arrival in London.


In the consternation of her mind at this step which she was taking,--a step which she had taught herself to regard as essentially her duty before it was taken, but which seemed to herself to be false and treacherous the moment she had taken it,--she had become aware that she had been wrong to travel with her cousin.

In her trouble at this step which she was taking - a step which she had taught herself to regard as her duty, but which seemed to herself to be false and treacherous the moment she had taken it - she had become aware that she had been wrong to travel with her cousin.


She felt sure,--she thought that she was sure,--that her doing so had in nowise affected her dealings with Mr. Grey.

She felt sure it had not affected her dealings with Mr. Grey.


She was very certain,--she thought that she was certain,--that she would have rejected him just the same had she never gone to Switzerland.

She was very certain - she thought she was certain - that she would have rejected him just the same.


But every one would say of her that her journey to Switzerland with such companions had produced that result.

But everyone would say that her journey had


It had been unlucky and she was sorry for it, and she now wished to avoid all communication with her cousin till this affair should be altogether over.

caused it, and she wished to avoid all communication with her cousin for now.


She was especially unwilling to see him; but she had not felt it necessary to give any special injunctions as to his admittance; and now, before she had time to think of it,--on the eve of her departure for Cheltenham,--he was in the room with her, just as the dusk of the October evening was coming on.

However, she had not given any orders about his admittance; and now, before she had time to think, he was in the room with her, just as the October dusk was coming on.


She was sitting away from the fire, almost behind the window-curtains, thinking of John Grey and very unhappy in her thoughts, when George Vavasor was announced.

She was sitting away from the fire, very unhappy in her thoughts, when George Vavasor was announced.


It will of course be understood that Vavasor had at this time received his sister's letter.


He had received it, and had had time to consider the matter since the Sunday morning on which we saw him in his own rooms in Cecil Street.

, and had had time to consider the matter.


"She can turn it all into capital to-morrow, if she pleases," he had said to himself when thinking of her income.

"She can turn all her income into capital tomorrow, if she pleases," he had said to himself.


But he had also reminded himself that her grandfather would probably enable him to settle an income out of the property upon Alice, in the event of their being married.

But he had also reminded himself that her grandfather would probably allow him to settle an income upon Alice out of his property if they married.


And then he had also felt that he could have no greater triumph than "walking atop of John Grey," as he called it.

And he had also felt that he could have no greater triumph than "walking atop of John Grey."


His return for the Chelsea Districts would hardly be sweeter to him than that.


"You must have thought I had vanished out of the world," said George, coming up to her with his extended hand.

"You must have thought I had vanished out of the world," said George.


Alice was confused, and hardly knew how to address him.

Alice, confused, hardly knew how to address him.


"Somebody told me that you were shooting," she said after a pause.


"So I was, but my shooting is not like the shooting of your great Nimrods,--men who are hunters upon the earth.


Two days among the grouse and two more among the partridges are about the extent of it.

two days among the grouse and two more among the partridges was about the extent of it.


Capel Court is the preserve in which I am usually to be found."


Alice knew nothing of Capel Court, and said, "Oh, indeed."


"Yes, once or twice; she is still at Yarmouth with Aunt Greenow."


Kate seems to have made a league with Aunt Greenow.

Kate seems to have made friends with Aunt Greenow


I, who don't pretend to be very disinterested in money matters, think that she is quite right.


No doubt Aunt Greenow may marry again, but friends with forty thousand pounds are always agreeable."

Friends with forty thousand pounds are always agreeable."


"I don't believe that Kate thinks much of that," said Alice.

"I don't believe that Kate thinks much about that," said Alice.


Poor Kate is not a rich woman, or, I fear, likely to become one.


She doesn't seem to dream of getting married, and her own fortune is less than a hundred a year."


"Girls who never dream of getting married are just those who make the best marriages at last," said Alice.


"Perhaps so, but I wish I was easier about Kate.


"And I have done nothing for her as yet.