st felt tempted to tell the story
of his troubles to this absolute stranger. But he bethought himself
of the blood of the Pallisers, and refrained. There are comforts
which royalty may never enjoy, and luxuries in which such men as
Plantagenet Palliser may not permit themselves to indulge.

"About her and her character I have no doubt in the world," said
Grey. "In all that she has done I think that I have seen her motives;
and though I have not approved of them, I have always known them to
be pure and unselfish. She has done nothing that I did not forgive as
soon as it was done. Had she married that man, I should have forgiven
her even that,--though I should have known that all her future life
was destroyed, and much of mine also. I think I can make her happy if
she will marry me, but she must first be taught to forgive herself.
Living as she is with you, and with your wife, she may, perhaps,
just now be more under your influence and your wife's than she can
possibly be under mine." Whereupon, Mr Palliser promised that he
would do what he could. "I think she loves me," said Mr Grey.

Mr Palliser said that he was sure she did, though what ground he had
for such assurance I am quite unable to surmise. He was probably
desirous of saying the most civil thing which occurred to him.

The little dinner-party that evening was pleasant enough, and nothing
more was said about love. Lady Glencora talked nonsense to Mr Grey,
and Mr Palliser contradicted all the nonsense which his wife talked.
But this was all done in such a way that the evening passed away
pleasantly. It was tacitly admitted among them that Mr Grey was to be
allowed to come among them as a friend, and Lady Glencora managed to
say one word to him aside, in which she promised to give him her most
cordial cooperation.

CHAPTER LXXI

Showing How George Vavasor Received a Visit

We must go back for a few pages to scenes which happened in London
during this summer, so that the reader may understand Mr Grey's
position when he reached Lucerne. He had undergone another quarrel
with George Vavasor, and something of the circumstances of that
quarrel must be told.

It has been already said that George Vavasor lost his election for
the Chelsea Districts, after all the money which he had spent,--money
which he had been so ill able to spend, and on which he had laid
his hands in a manner so disreputable! He had received two thousand
pounds from the bills which Al