ty of Burgo's proposition had struck her so forcibly
as to take away from her all her presence of mind. Otherwise, she
must have been aware that such an answer from her would surely drive
her friend's wife into open hostility.

"And why not, Mrs Marsham?" said Lady Glencora rising from her seat.
"Why shouldn't I waltz to-night? I rather think I shall, the more
especially as Mr Fitzgerald waltzes very well." Thereupon she put her
hand upon Burgo's arm.

Mrs Marsham made still a little effort,--a little effort that was
probably involuntary. She put out her hand, and laid it on Lady
Glencora's left shoulder, looking into her face as she did so with
all the severity of caution of which she was mistress. Lady Glencora
shook her duenna off angrily. Whether she would put her fate into
the hands of this man who was now touching her, or whether she would
not, she had not as yet decided; but of this she was very sure,
that nothing said or done by Mrs Marsham should have any effect in
restraining her.

What could Mrs Marsham do? Mr Palliser was gone. Some rumour of
that proposed visit to Monkshade, and the way in which it had been
prevented, had reached her ear. Some whispers had come to her that
Fitzgerald still dared to love, as married, the woman whom he had
loved before she was married. There was a rumour about that he still
had some hope. Mrs Marsham had never believed that Mr Palliser's wife
would really be false to her vows. It was not in fear of any such
catastrophe as a positive elopement that she had taken upon herself
the duty of duenna. Lady Glencora would, no doubt, require to be
pressed down into that decent mould which it would become the wife
of a Mr Palliser to assume as her form; and this pressing down, and
this moulding, Mrs Marsham thought that she could accomplish. It had
not hitherto occurred to her that she might be required to guard Mr
Palliser from positive dishonour; but now--now she hardly knew what
to think about it. What should she do? To whom should she go? And
then she saw Mr Bott looming large before her on the top of the
staircase.

In the meantime Lady Glencora went off towards the dancers, leaning
on Burgo's arm. "Who is that woman?" said Burgo. They were the first
words he spoke to her, though since he had last seen her he had
written to her that letter which even now she carried about her. His
voice in her ears sounded as it used to sound when their intimacy
had been close, and questions