England could have excelled her in
the manner of doing it. "I have heard so much about you," said she,
still keeping Kate's hand, "and I know how good you've been;--and
how wicked you have been," she added in a whisper. Then Mr Grey was
brought up to her, and they were introduced. It was not till some
days had passed over them that she felt herself at all at her ease
with Mr Grey, and I doubt whether she ever reached that point with Mr
Palliser; but Lady Glencora she knew, and liked, and almost loved,
from the first moment of their meeting.

"Have you heard the news?" said Lady Glencora to Alice, the first
minute that they were alone. Alice, of course, had not heard the
news. "Mr Bott is going to marry Mrs Marsham. There is such a row
about it. Plantagenet is nearly mad. I never knew him so disgusted in
my life. Of course I don't dare to tell him so, but I am so heartily
rejoiced. You know how I love them both, and I could not possibly
wish any better reward for either." Alice, who had personally known
more of Mr Bott than of Mrs Marsham, said that she couldn't but be
sorry for the lady. "She's old enough to be his mother," said Lady
Glencora, "otherwise I really don't know any people better suited
to each other. The best is, that Mr Bott is doing it to regain his
footing with Mr Palliser! I am sure of that;--and Plantagenet will
never speak to him again. But, Alice, there is other news."

"What other news?"

"It is hardly news yet, and of course I am very wicked to tell you.
But I feel sure Mr Grey knows all about it, and if I didn't tell, he
would."

"He hasn't told me anything yet."

"He hasn't had time; and when he does, you mustn't pretend to know.
I believe Mr Palliser will certainly be Chancellor of the Exchequer
before next month, and, if so, he'll never come in for Silverbridge
again."

"But he'll be in Parliament; will he not?"

"Oh, yes; he'll be in Parliament. I don't understand all about it.
There is a man going out for the county,--for Barsetshire,--some man
whom the Duke used to favour, and he wants Plantagenet to come in for
that. I can't understand what difference it makes."

"But he will be in the Cabinet?"

"Oh, yes. But who do you suppose is to be the new Member for
Silverbridge?"

"I can't guess," said Alice. Though, of course, she did guess.

"Mind, I don't know it. He has never told me. But he told me that he
had been with the Duke, and asked the Duke to let Jeffrey have the
seat.