The Duke became as black as thunder, and said that Jeffrey
had no fortune. In short, he wouldn't hear of it. Poor Jeffrey!
we must try to do something for him, but I really don't know how.
Then the Duke said, that Plantagenet should put in for Silverbridge
some friend who would support himself; and I fancy,--mind it's only
fancy,--but I fancy that Plantagenet mentioned to his Grace--one Mr
Grey."

"Oh, Glencora!"

"They've been talking together till sometimes I think Mr Grey is
worse than Plantagenet. When Mr Grey began to say something the other
night in the drawing-room about sugar, I knew it was all up with you.
He'll be a financial Secretary; you see if he isn't; or a lord of
something, or an under-somebody of State; and then some day he'll
go mad, either because he does or because he doesn't get into the
Cabinet." Lady Glencora, as she said all this, knew well that the
news she was giving would please her cousin better than any other
tidings that could be told.

By degrees the guests came. The two Miss Howards were the first, and
they expressed themselves as delighted with Lady Glencora's taste and
with Mr Palliser's munificence,--for at that time the brooches and
armlets had been produced. Kate had said very little about these
matters, but the Miss Howards were loud in their thanks. But they
were good-humoured, merry girls, and the house was pleasanter
after their arrival than it had been before. Then came the dreaded
personage,--the guest,--Lady Midlothian! On the subject of Lady
Midlothian Kate had really become curious. She had a real desire
to see the face and gait of the woman, and to hear her voice. Lady
Midlothian came, and with her came Lady Jane and Lady Mary. I am by
no means sure that Lady Jane and Lady Mary were not nearly as old as
the two Miss Pallisers; but they were not probably so fully resolved
as to the condition of their future modes of living as were those two
ladies, and if so, they were not wrong to shine as bridesmaids. With
them Alice had made some slight acquaintance during the last spring
in London, and as they were now to attend upon her as the bride they
were sufficiently gracious. To Kate, too, they were civil enough, and
things, in public, went on very pleasantly at Matching.

A scene there was, of course, between Alice and Lady Midlothian;--a
scene in private. "You must go through it," Lady Glencora had said,
with jocose mournfulness; "and why should you not let her jump upon