ate, who had not much feminine taste
for finery. Of the dress she had heard,--of the dress which was
waiting at Matching to be made up after her arrival,--though as yet
she knew nothing of the trinkets. There are many girls who could
submit themselves at a moment to the kindness of such a woman as Lady
Glencora. Perhaps most girls would do so, for of all such women in
the world, Lady Glencora was the least inclined to patronize or to
be condescending in her kindnesses. But Kate Vavasor was one to whom
such submission would not come easily.

"I wish I was out of this boat," she said to Alice in the train.

"So that I might be shipwrecked alone!"

"No; there can be no shipwreck to you. When the day of action comes
you will be taken away, up to heaven, upon the clouds. But what are
they to do with me?"

"You'll find that Glencora will not desert you. You can't conceive
what taste she has."

"I'd sooner be bridesmaid to Charlie Fairstairs. I would indeed.
My place in the world is not among Cabinet Ministers and old
countesses."

"Nor mine."

"Yes; it seems that yours is to be there. They are your cousins, and
you have made at any rate one great friend among them,--one who is to
be the biggest of them all."

"And you are going to throw me over, Kate?"

"To tell the truth, Alice, I sometimes think you had better throw me
over. I know it would be sad,--sad for both, but perhaps it would be
better. I have done you much harm and no good; and now where I am
going I shall disgrace you." She talked even of getting out at some
station and returning, and would have done so had not Alice made
it impossible. As it was, the evening found her and Alice together
entering the park-gate at Matching, in Lady Glencora's carriage.
Lady Glencora had sent a note to the station. "She could not come
herself," she said, "because Mr Palliser was a little fussy. You'll
understand, dear, but don't say a word." Alice didn't say a word,
having been very anxious not to lower Mr Palliser in her cousin's
respect.

None of the Lady Janes and Lady Marys were at Matching when they
arrived. Indeed, there was no guest there but Mr Grey, for which Kate
felt herself to be extremely grateful. Mr Grey came into the hall,
standing behind Mr Palliser, who stood behind his wife. Alice passed
by them both, and was at once in her lover's arms. "Then I must
introduce myself," said Lady Glencora to Kate, "and my husband also."
This she did, and no woman in