teach him how this should be done;
but he had wished to do it. He had never willingly rebuked her for
his disappointment, either by a glance of his eye, or a tone of his
voice; and now he had already forgiven everything. Burgo Fitzgerald
was a myth. Mrs Marsham should never again come near her. Mr Bott
was, of course, a thing abolished;--he had not even had the sense to
keep his seat in Parliament. Dandy and Flirt should feed on gilded
corn, and there should be an artificial moon always ready in the
ruins. If only those d----able saddle-ponies of Lucerne had not come
across his wife's path! He went at once into the yard and ordered
that the ponies should be abolished;--sent away, one and all, to the
furthest confines of the canton; and then he himself inspected the
cushions of the carriage. Were they dry? As it was August in those
days, and August in Lucerne is a warm month, it may be presumed that
they were dry.

He then remembered that he had promised to send Alice up to his
wife, and he hurried back into the house. She was alone in the
breakfast-room, waiting for him and for his wife. In these days, Mr
Grey would usually join them at dinner; but he seldom saw them before
eleven or twelve o'clock in the day. Then he would saunter in and
join Mr Palliser, and they would all be together till the evening.
When the expectant father of embryo dukes entered the room, Alice
perceived at once that some matter was astir. His manner was
altogether changed, and he showed by his eye that he was eager and
moved beyond his wont. "Alice," he said, "would you mind going up to
Glencora's room? She wishes to speak to you." He had never called
her Alice before, and as soon as the word was spoken, he remembered
himself and blushed.

"She isn't ill, I hope?" said Alice.

"No;--she isn't ill. At least I think she had better not get up quite
yet. Don't let her excite herself, if you can help it."

"I'll go to her at once," said Alice rising.

"I'm so much obliged to you;--but, Miss Vavasor--"

"You called me Alice just now, Mr Palliser, and I took it as a great
compliment."

He blushed again. "Did I? Very well. Then I'll do it again--if you'll
let me. But, if you please, do be as calm with her as you can. She
is so easily excited, you know. Of course, if there's anything she
fancies, we'll take care to get it for her; but she must be kept
quiet." Upon this Alice left him, having had no moment of time to
guess what had happened, o