n, and found in her a very ready listener. Having made up
his mind to do this thing, he was resolved to do it thoroughly, and
was becoming almost as full of politics, almost as much devoted to
sugar, as Mr Palliser himself. He at any rate could not complain that
his wife would not interest herself in his pursuits. Then, as they
returned, came letters from Lady Glencora, written as her troubles
grew nigh. The Duke had gone, of course; but he was to be there at
the appointed time. "Oh, I do so wish he would have a fit of the gout
in London,--or at Timbuctoo," said Lady Glencora. When they reached
London they first heard the news from Mr Vavasor, who on this
occasion condescended to meet them at the railway. "The Duke has got
an heir," he said, before the carriage-door was open;--"born this
morning!" One might have supposed that it was the Duke's baby, and
not the baby of Lady Glencora and Mr Palliser. There was a note from
Mr Palliser to Mr Grey. "Thank God!" said the note, "Lady Glencora
and the boy"--Mr Palliser had scorned to use the word child--"Lady
Glencora and the boy are quite as well as can be expected. Both the
new writs were moved for last night." Mr Palliser's honours, as will
be seen, came rushing upon him all at once.

Wondrous little baby,--_purpureo genitus!_ What have the gods not
done for thee, if thou canst only manage to live till thy good things
are all thine own,--to live through all the terrible solicitude with
which they will envelope thee! Better than royal rank will be thine,
with influence more than royal, and power of action fettered by no
royalty. Royal wealth which will be really thine own, to do with it
as it beseemeth thee. Thou wilt be at the top of an aristocracy in a
country where aristocrats need gird themselves with no buckram. All
that the world can give will be thine; and yet when we talk of thee
religiously, philosophically, or politico-economically, we are wont
to declare that thy chances of happiness are no better,--no better,
if they be no worse,--than are those of thine infant neighbour just
born, in that farmyard cradle. Who shall say that they are better or
that they are worse? Or if they be better, or if they be worse, how
shall we reconcile to ourselves that seeming injustice?

And now we will pay a little visit to the small one born in the
purple, and the story of that visit shall be the end of our history.
It was early in April, quite early in April, and Mr and Mrs Grey w