alliser," he said. "You must have got some
false notion into your head. There can be no possible reason why you
should not join us. Finespun himself will support us, at any rate
for a time." Mr Finespun was the gentleman whose retirement from the
ministry the Duke of St Bungay had now announced.

"It is nothing of that kind," said Mr Palliser, who perhaps felt
himself quite equal to the duties proposed to him, even though Mr
Finespun should not support him. "It is nothing of that kind;--it is
no fear of that sort that hinders me."

"Then, for mercy's sake, what is it? My dear Palliser, I looked upon
you as being as sure in this matter as myself; and I had a right
to do so. You certainly intended to join us a month ago, if the
opportunity offered. You certainly did."

"It is true, Duke. I must ask you to listen to me now, and I must
tell you what I would not willingly tell to any man." As Mr Palliser
said this a look of agony came over his face. There are men who can
talk easily of all their most inmost matters, but he was not such
a man. It went sorely against the grain with him to speak of the
sorrow of his home, even to such a friend as the Duke; but it was
essentially necessary to him that he should justify himself.

"Upon my word," said the Duke, "I can't understand that there should
be any reason strong enough to make you throw your party over."

"I have promised to take my wife abroad."

"Is that it?" said the Duke, looking at him with surprise, but at the
same time with something of returning joviality in his face. "Nobody
thinks of going abroad at this time of the year. Of course, you can
get away for a time when Parliament breaks up."

"But I have promised to go at once."

"Then, considering your position, you have made a promise which it
behoves you to break. I am sure Lady Glencora will see it in that
light."

"You do not quite understand me, and I am afraid I must trouble you
to listen to matters which, under other circumstances, it would
be impertinent in me to obtrude upon you." A certain stiffness of
demeanour, and measured propriety of voice, much at variance with his
former manner, came upon him as he said this.

"Of course, Palliser, I don't want to interfere for a moment."

"If you will allow me, Duke. My wife has told me that, this morning,
which makes me feel that absence from England is requisite for her
present comfort. I was with her when you came, and had just promised
her that she