circumstances in Alice's engagement which made it desirable that she
should for a while be near her niece. Her niece, as she thought, was
hardly managing her own affairs discreetly. marriage. Nor had it been by any means her first fault of the same
kind. Till Alice had become engaged to Mr. Grey she had spoken of there was much in his condition, as connected with the house which
he was leaving, which could not but make him unhappy. Alice was
engaged to be his wife, and had as yet said nothing to show that she Previous to this they had met; and Alice, at her cousin Kate's
instigation, had induced her father to meet him. But at first there
had been no renewal of real friendship. Alice had given her cordial But the object which he had now in view was a renewal of his
engagement with Alice, and he felt that he must obtain an answer from also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to "When are you to be married, Alice?" said George at last.

"Oh, George!" said she. "You ask me a question as though you were
putting a pistol to my ear." should spend all your money, if you do not marry him at last." In
answer to this, Alice said nothing. On that point her father's wishes
were fast growing to be identical with her own. "But it is quite frightful, my dear. She has been engaged, with the
consent of all her friends, to this young man."

"I know all about it." "The fact was, Alice, that George Vavasor's mode of life was such
that an engagement with him would have been absolute madness." "Alice," he said again. And then, as slowly she looked up at him, he
asked her for her hand. "You may give it me," he said, "as to an old "Alice!--is that true?"

"Yes, George; it is true. If you will allow me to say so, I would
rather not talk about it;--not just at present." The marriage was magnificent, greatly to the dismay of Alice and
to the discomfort of Mr. Vavasor, who came down on the eve of the "Then, sir, you think wrong. I am at this moment her affianced
husband; and I find that, in spite of all that she has said to with Alice, did not quarrel with her _Ã  l'outrance_. They snubbed
herself and her chosen husband; but they did not so far separate he had endeavoured to make himself agreeable. "I will marry you,"
Alice had said to him,--not in words, but in acts and looks, which reading it was one to him of intense agony. Hitherto he had fed
himself with hope. That Alice should have been brought to think of
her engagement with him in a spirit of doubt and with a mind so Alice to go with us.' That touched me more than anything. Only think
if he had proposed Mrs. Marsham!" "Alice," he continued, "I do not expect you to say much to me; but
there is a question or two which I think you will answer. Has a day
been fixed for this marriage?"

"No," she said. Cheesacre had heard that Alice was the dear friend of a lady who
would probably some day become a duchess. He therefore naturally
Previous to this they had met; and Alice, at her cousin Kate's
instigation, had induced her father to meet him. But at first there
had been no renewal of real friendship. Alice had given her cordial marriage. Nor had it been by any means her first fault of the same
kind. Till Alice had become engaged to Mr. Grey she had spoken of man. He had, however, behaved very badly to Alice, and the match had
been broken off. there was much in his condition, as connected with the house which
he was leaving, which could not but make him unhappy. Alice was
engaged to be his wife, and had as yet said nothing to show that she But the object which he had now in view was a renewal of his
engagement with Alice, and he felt that he must obtain an answer from circumstances in Alice's engagement which made it desirable that she
should for a while be near her niece. Her niece, as she thought, was
hardly managing her own affairs discreetly. "The fact was, Alice, that George Vavasor's mode of life was such
that an engagement with him would have been absolute madness." This idea of his, however, had been greatly shaken by Alice's
treatment of himself personally; but still he had not, hitherto, reading it was one to him of intense agony. Hitherto he had fed
himself with hope. That Alice should have been brought to think of
her engagement with him in a spirit of doubt and with a mind so Vavasor had charged him. He had been told that he had advanced
money on behalf of Alice, in order that he might obtain some power
over Alice's fortune, and thus revenge himself upon Alice for her he had endeavoured to make himself agreeable. "I will marry you,"
Alice had said to him,--not in words, but in acts and looks, which also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to do not care to marry him." It was thus that he read Alice's present
treatment of him, and he was a man who could not endure this
treatment with ease. had tried, and had in his way, believed. He had flattered himself,
too, that Alice's heart had, in truth, been more prone to him than to Alice had occasion to remember it, for it had been in the carriage on
that evening that she had positively refused to give any aid to her
cousin in that matter relating to Burgo Fitzgerald. with Alice, did not quarrel with her _Ã  l'outrance_. They snubbed
herself and her chosen husband; but they did not so far separate had done, he had shown himself to be unmoved by that episode in their
joint lives, which Alice's other friends had regarded as so fatal.
When she first rejected him, he would not take his rejection. When return, was a cruelty not to be forgiven. These were the feelings
with which Alice regarded her betrothed when he came to see her. But her own career was not the same. Glencora had married Mr.
Palliser,--had married him without pausing to doubt;--but Alice had should spend all your money, if you do not marry him at last." In
answer to this, Alice said nothing. On that point her father's wishes
were fast growing to be identical with her own.
was from her brother George; and as she opened it looked anxiously
into Alice's face. "Has he offended you?" Kate asked. "Should you?" said she, thinking of her close attachment to himself.

"And now, about the money," said George. "You must write to Alice at
once."--"Oh, George!" "Alice!--is that true?"

"Yes, George; it is true. If you will allow me to say so, I would
rather not talk about it;--not just at present." At last Alice seemed to shiver. There was a slight trembling in her
arms, which George felt rather than saw. "You are cold," he said.

"No indeed." Alice Vavasor, Burgo had been instigated to believe that Alice's
cousin might assist him. Any such assistance George Vavasor would to Alice, so that she might show that there was nothing serious on
the minds of any of them. It need hardly be said that Alice at this
time made no appeal to George to join them. He followed them at their Alice when she informed him that her cousin George was to go with
Kate and her to Switzerland? He had written, with a pleasant joke,
words which Alice had been able to read with some little feeling of George left her without saying a word more about her marriage
prospects past or future, and Alice as she went to bed felt glad that
this explanation between them had been made.




CHAPTER XXII. George stood for a few moments thinking. Might it not be possible
that by means of Alice and Kate together,--by marrying the to you as part of Alice's fortune. Think of it, George; you would not
like to receive everything from her." George only as her brother, or as her friend's cousin, but now she
was constantly making allusion to those past occurrences, which all
of them should have striven to forget. Under these circumstances was Alice and George were left together sitting in the balcony. They
had been alone together before many times since their travels had
commenced; but they both of them felt that there was something to "I'm not; by any means," said George.

"Well, I am, and I expect to have something pretty said to me in
return. Have I been cross once, Alice?" of George and Alice, as living together at the old Hall. At six, the
father and daughter dined, and soon after dinner Mr. Vavasor went up Kate was very persistent in her objection to this scheme till
George's answer came. His answer to Alice was accompanied by a letter
to his sister, and after that Kate said nothing more about the Alice was, as it were, a prisoner. She could not slip away without
some special preparation for going, and Kate had so placed her chair
in leaving, that she must actually have asked George to move it "When are you to be married, Alice?" said George at last.

"Oh, George!" said she. "You ask me a question as though you were
putting a pistol to my ear." "The money that George had." As the reader is aware, Alice had heard
nothing special about this money. She only knew, or supposed she also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to during the year of the love-passages between George and Alice, George
Vavasor's politics had been as conservative as you please. He did not
as to her engagement with George Vavasor. How could she speak of it,
inasmuch as she had already resolved,--already almost resolved,--that
that engagement also should be broken? "The fact was, Alice, that George Vavasor's mode of life was such
that an engagement with him would have been absolute madness." She had allowed that her brother George's behaviour had been such as
to make any engagement between them impossible. The fault, therefore,
had been hers in making any reference to the question of such a "Should you?" said she, thinking of her close attachment to himself.

"And now, about the money," said George. "You must write to Alice at
once."--"Oh, George!" "Alice!--is that true?"

"Yes, George; it is true. If you will allow me to say so, I would
rather not talk about it;--not just at present." George left her without saying a word more about her marriage
prospects past or future, and Alice as she went to bed felt glad that
this explanation between them had been made.




CHAPTER XXII. do not care to marry him." It was thus that he read Alice's present
treatment of him, and he was a man who could not endure this
treatment with ease. man. He had, however, behaved very badly to Alice, and the match had
been broken off. "When are you to be married, Alice?" said George at last.

"Oh, George!" said she. "You ask me a question as though you were
putting a pistol to my ear." Kate was very persistent in her objection to this scheme till
George's answer came. His answer to Alice was accompanied by a letter
to his sister, and after that Kate said nothing more about the there was much in his condition, as connected with the house which
he was leaving, which could not but make him unhappy. Alice was
engaged to be his wife, and had as yet said nothing to show that she to you as part of Alice's fortune. Think of it, George; you would not
like to receive everything from her." to such matters, who at George Vavasor's age cannot understand the
feelings with which a woman receives him. When Alice contrived as she
had done to escape the embrace he was so well justified in asking, he unscrupulous, but she was not selfish. Many years ago she had made
up her mind that George and Alice should be man and wife, feeling
that such a marriage would be good at any rate for her brother. It cousin. That, no doubt, was now over. There was no longer to her any
question of her marrying George Vavasor. But the fact that she had Alice was, as it were, a prisoner. She could not slip away without
some special preparation for going, and Kate had so placed her chair
in leaving, that she must actually have asked George to move it career in Parliament, and saying little soft things of his enduring
love. It was no longer possible to her now to write of George at all,
and it was equally impossible to Alice. Indeed, no letters passed undertaking to do wrong, promised that she would apply to Alice for
her money, if sufficient funds should not be forthcoming from Mrs.
Greenow. Thereupon, George graciously consented to proceed to his reading it was one to him of intense agony. Hitherto he had fed
himself with hope. That Alice should have been brought to think of
her engagement with him in a spirit of doubt and with a mind so disappointment in regard to the seat in Parliament, and that he would
probably not return. "Poor George!" Alice had said; "he is a man
Kate and Alice, as they drew near to their journey's end, were both
a little flurried, and I cannot but own that there was cause for Kate's desire was that Alice should come down to her for a while in
Westmoreland, before the six months were over, and this desire she On the evening before they started for Switzerland, George and Kate
walked from Queen Anne Street, where they had been dining with Alice, "Come along then," said Kate. And so they moved away. When they got
upon the bridge Alice and Kate were together, while George strolled "Whom in all the world would you best like to see?" said Glencora.

"My cousin Kate, certainly," said Alice. Alice was resolved that she would keep her promise to Kate, and pay
her visit to Westmoreland before she started with the Pallisers. Kate Kate had made up her mind that she would say nothing about Alice at
the present moment,--nothing, if it could be avoided, till after the she had spoken openly to Kate. We know that Kate had in part betrayed
her, but Alice suspected no such treason. She had often quarrelled "I hope that Kate will always live with me," said Alice; "that is, as
soon as she has lost her home at Vavasor Hall." Alice was seated quite at the end of the gallery, and Kate's chair
was at her feet in the corner. When Alice and Kate had seated Alice had written to him occasionally from Switzerland, and her
first two letters had been very charming. They had referred almost
exclusively to the tour, and had been made pleasant with some Kate was very persistent in her objection to this scheme till
George's answer came. His answer to Alice was accompanied by a letter
to his sister, and after that Kate said nothing more about the Alice would give no promise then. Her first objection was that
she had undertaken to go down to Westmoreland and comfort Kate word we'll do it," continued Kate. "I'll slip out to George and tell
him, and there's nothing he'd like so much." But Alice would not
consent. Kate's performance of her promise with reference to Alice, if that
answer should be unfavourable. During these five days Kate did all
in her power to induce her brother to be, at any rate, kind in his Kate had written to her at length, filling her sheet with a loud pÃ¦an
of sincere rejoicing. To Kate, down in Westmoreland, it had seemed on the table." But neither Kate nor Alice heard this, as they were
already in their rooms. November, at which she would herself undertake to meet Alice at the
Matching Station. On receipt of this letter, Alice, after two days'
doubt, accepted the invitation. also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to "Early in July, I believe. It will be very hot, but Kate must be back
by the middle of August." Kate Vavasor was Alice's first cousin.

"Oh! Kate is to go with you?"
"My sister,--my own sister," said Kate. And then, as Alice met her
embrace, there was no longer any doubt as to the nature of the reply. she had spoken openly to Kate. We know that Kate had in part betrayed
her, but Alice suspected no such treason. She had often quarrelled also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to "Whom in all the world would you best like to see?" said Glencora.

"My cousin Kate, certainly," said Alice. Alice felt that she was blushing. The caution had been given to Kate
because Kate still transgressed in her letters, by saying little
words about her brother. And Alice did not even now believe Kate Previous to this they had met; and Alice, at her cousin Kate's
instigation, had induced her father to meet him. But at first there
had been no renewal of real friendship. Alice had given her cordial Alice was seated quite at the end of the gallery, and Kate's chair
was at her feet in the corner. When Alice and Kate had seated knew was not properly due from her. Kate was acquainted with all the
circumstances of that old affair between her brother and Alice. She
had given in her adhesion to the propriety of what Alice had done. "Kate, don't talk in that way," and Alice came up to her and embraced
her. Kate and Alice, as they drew near to their journey's end, were both
a little flurried, and I cannot but own that there was cause for This letter from Alice to Kate, Vavasor read over and over again,
though Kate's letter to himself, which was the longer one, he had "Why did you not ask Alice to come to you?"

"Alice could not have come," said Kate, after a short pause. had chiefly reference to her two nieces, and especially to Alice.
How was she to account for this second lover? Kate, of course, knew
all about it; but how could Alice be made to understand that she, Kate's performance of her promise with reference to Alice, if that
answer should be unfavourable. During these five days Kate did all
in her power to induce her brother to be, at any rate, kind in his "Early in July, I believe. It will be very hot, but Kate must be back
by the middle of August." Kate Vavasor was Alice's first cousin.

"Oh! Kate is to go with you?" Kate had been very false to her friend, and had sent up to her
brother the very letter which Alice had written to her after that
meeting in Queen Anne Street which was described in the last "Come along then," said Kate. And so they moved away. When they got
upon the bridge Alice and Kate were together, while George strolled given to the man who had treated her so shamefully. It might be well
that Alice should so feel and so act, but it behoved Kate to feel
and act very differently. She would tell her brother, even in the Kate was very persistent in her objection to this scheme till
George's answer came. His answer to Alice was accompanied by a letter
to his sister, and after that Kate said nothing more about the a husband worthy of her, that she might allure her into the arms of
one so utterly unworthy? Luckily for Kate, her accident was of such a
nature that any writing to Alice was now out of the question.
"And why not?" said Kate, again starting up. "What is there to
separate you from George now, but that unfortunate affair, that will "What has brought that woman here?" was the first question that
George asked.

"I asked her to come," said Kate. was from her brother George; and as she opened it looked anxiously
into Alice's face. "Has he offended you?" Kate asked. Kate was very persistent in her objection to this scheme till
George's answer came. His answer to Alice was accompanied by a letter
to his sister, and after that Kate said nothing more about the Then they stopped and leaned for a while over the parapet of the
bridge. "Come here, George," said Kate; and she made room for him "George," said Kate, speaking before she quite got up to them, "will
you tell me whether you have been preparing all your things for an To this George consented as though he were yielding a great deal;
and Kate, with a sore conscience, with a full knowledge that she was "Grandpapa knows that you are here, George," said Kate, when their
first greeting was over.

"The deuce he does! and why did you tell him?" "Come along then," said Kate. And so they moved away. When they got
upon the bridge Alice and Kate were together, while George strolled George stood for a few moments thinking. Might it not be possible
that by means of Alice and Kate together,--by marrying the "What is it?" said George. Then Kate put the note into her brother's
hand.

"I'll do nothing of the kind," he said. "What good should I get by
going to the old man's house?" are about George, I cannot understand how you can bring yourself to
speak of him to me with such contempt!" Kate Vavasor, as she spoke "He only died on Monday, George," said Kate, solemnly.

"Psha! Who has got the will?" "Of course you could not go alone with George," said Lady Macleod,
very grimly. Now George Vavasor was Kate's brother, and was therefore The brother and sister walked through two or three streets in
silence, and then Kate asked a question.

"George, I wonder what your wishes really are about Alice?" The old man was standing at the hall steps when the car drove up, as
though to welcome his grandson. He put out his hand to help Kate down
the steps, keeping his eye all the time on George's face. "And does Kate know it?"

"Yes, Kate knows it."

"And my uncle?"

"Yes, papa knows it also." "And why did you ask her to come here?" said George, angrily. Kate
immediately felt that he was speaking as though he were master of which she feared she would regret when she found herself settled
at Nethercoats. She envied Kate. Kate could, as his sister, attach
herself on to George's political career, and obtain from it all that George only as her brother, or as her friend's cousin, but now she
was constantly making allusion to those past occurrences, which all
of them should have striven to forget. Under these circumstances was
In the course of that afternoon Lady Glencora took Alice all over
the house. It was a castle of enormous size, quite new,--having been "You wrong me, Plantagenet," said Glencora. "There was only one heap,
and that did not remain long. Did it, Alice?"

"It is impossible to make you ashamed of anything," he said. On the evening before the marriage Alice and Lady Glencora walked for
the last time through the Priory ruins. It was now September, and the Lady Glencora declared that she would not allow herself to be carried
beyond Boulogne that day;--but, nevertheless, they did get on to to her house in London, and had taken care that Burgo should meet
her there. Then a hint or two had been spoken, and Lady Glencora the sort of equipage with which they were about to travel. Lady
Glencora was taking her own carriage. "Not that I shall ever use it," For some time after this Lady Glencora's conduct was frequently so
indiscreet as to drive her husband almost to frenzy. On the very day promised visit to the landlord; and Lady Glencora, accepting this as
something, strove to instigate her husband to some lavish expenditure placed that she could see Alice. She made a slight sign with her
head, as much as to say that Lady Glencora must have no opportunity
of writing from the latter place; but she said nothing. Lady Glencora, as she went on quickly, got hold of her husband's
hand, and caressed it. "You are so good," said she. "Don't let him "Now, Jeffrey," said Lady Glencora as they walked abreast along the
broad terrace towards the ruins, "when we get under the old gateway to stay to see you off, but that he will not be allowed to take you
away." Lady Glencora thought that this was very pretty as coming from
her husband, and so she told him on their way home. The butler was right. He did leave the house. He saw Lady Glencora
taken to her carriage from some back hiding-place in the hall, and at Lucerne; and as she assented she knew well what was to come. She
said nothing to Lady Glencora on the subject, but allowed the coming "You see," the glance had said, "Plantagenet is beginning to take an
interest in his cousin, and you know why. The man who is to be the "I've a particular favour to ask of you," Lady Glencora said to
her husband, as soon as they were alone together in their rooms at Lady Glencora received her husband that night with infinite anxiety,
and was by no means satisfied with what had been done. He described
to her as accurately as he could the nature of his interview with As they drove up through the park, Lady Glencora pointed out first
the church and then the ruins, through the midst of which the road During their journey home Mr. Palliser had by no means kept his seat
opposite to Lady Glencora with constancy. He had soon found that it "Come and dance," she said; "I see a pair of eyes looking at us."
The pair of eyes which Lady Glencora saw were in the possession of
"Settled!" said Mrs. Greenow, astounded, as though there must have
been some hidden marriage of which she had not heard. "But that's Mrs. Greenow's own marriage was completed with perfect success. She
took Captain Bellfield for better or for worse, with a thorough "Mrs. Greenow," he exclaimed at last, jumping up before her; "dearest
Mrs. Greenow; darling Mrs. Greenow, will you be my wife? There! I "Ah, but it can be. Come, Mrs. Greenow. We understand each other well
enough now, surely. Come, dearest." And he approached her as though straying very wide as long as his intended wife should be able to
keep the purse-strings altogether in her own hands. Therefore, I say
that Mrs. Greenow had been lucky in her choice, and not altogether "You are always wanting to marry me, Mrs. Greenow." held her in awe, and slunk away. On this occasion Mrs. Greenow clung
lovingly to her future husband, and the effect was that Mr. Cheesacre Squire's will had no doubt reached him, and he was now willing to
take advantage of that assistance which Mrs. Greenow had before
offered him in this matter. The time had come in which he ought to "And is that to make a change? Oh! Mrs. Greenow, who would have
thought to find you mercenary like that? Inherited property! Is she
going to fling a man over because of that?" It will perhaps be as well to say a few words about Mrs. Greenow
before we go with her to Yarmouth. Mrs. Greenow was the only daughter "So you are George," said Mrs. Greenow, putting out her hand and
smiling.

"Yes; I'm George," said he. Mrs. Greenow felt no guilt, and was afraid of no strange eyes. "Mr.
Cheesacre and I are talking about farming," she said.

"Oh; farming!" answered Maria's mother. "Mrs. Greenow," said he, jumping up, and becoming on a sudden full of
life, "that man is a downright swindler."

"Oh, Mr. Cheesacre." But Mrs. Greenow had found out that she was alone, not very rich,
and in want of the solace of society. Therefore she had, from sheer "Mrs. Greenow, you mistake me. Indeed, you mistake me." Just at this
moment, as he was drawing close to the widow, she heard, or fancied "If you were to marry him, Mrs. Greenow, it's my belief I should do
him a mischief; it is, really. I don't think I could stand it;--a by getting a rich wife. In the course of the cross-examination Mrs.
Greenow got much information out of him; and then, when she was
satisfied that she had learned, not exactly all the truth, but "And, besides, how could I laugh at marriages, seeing how happy I
have been in that condition?--so--very--happy," and Mrs. Greenow put
up her handkerchief to her eyes. "I can easily believe that, Mrs. Greenow," said the Captain.

"Who cares what you believe, sir?" said Mr. Cheesacre. Mrs. Greenow turned pale beneath the widow's veil which she had
dropped. What might not her Captain have done? He might have procured
there was much in his condition, as connected with the house which
he was leaving, which could not but make him unhappy. Alice was
engaged to be his wife, and had as yet said nothing to show that she The marriage was magnificent, greatly to the dismay of Alice and
to the discomfort of Mr. Vavasor, who came down on the eve of the also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to do not care to marry him." It was thus that he read Alice's present
treatment of him, and he was a man who could not endure this
treatment with ease. "When are you to be married, Alice?" said George at last.

"Oh, George!" said she. "You ask me a question as though you were
putting a pistol to my ear." "She and that man, and--. Never mind. It makes me sick when I think
that they should be so blind. Alice, I hardly know how much I owe to "Because in such case I also must see him. God bless you, Alice! God
bless you, dearest, dearest Alice!" Then he went, and she sat there "The fact was, Alice, that George Vavasor's mode of life was such
that an engagement with him would have been absolute madness." should spend all your money, if you do not marry him at last." In
answer to this, Alice said nothing. On that point her father's wishes
were fast growing to be identical with her own. "Alice," he said again. And then, as slowly she looked up at him, he
asked her for her hand. "You may give it me," he said, "as to an old "They say he is led immensely by his wife, and that she is very
clever. But I mean this chiefly, Alice, that I do hope I shall have
all your sympathy in any political career that I may make, and all
your assistance also." reading it was one to him of intense agony. Hitherto he had fed
himself with hope. That Alice should have been brought to think of
her engagement with him in a spirit of doubt and with a mind so with Alice, did not quarrel with her _Ã  l'outrance_. They snubbed
herself and her chosen husband; but they did not so far separate "Then, sir, you think wrong. I am at this moment her affianced
husband; and I find that, in spite of all that she has said to Alice must be happy to feel that she has had it in her power to
confer so great a benefit on her future husband as he will receive
from this introduction." "I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred marriage. Nor had it been by any means her first fault of the same
kind. Till Alice had become engaged to Mr. Grey she had spoken of he had endeavoured to make himself agreeable. "I will marry you,"
Alice had said to him,--not in words, but in acts and looks, which Alice thought of her cousin George, and wished that he, instead of
herself, was sitting next to the Duke of St. Bungay. "But I'm afraid
I never shall be a leading Radical," she said. "Yes;--as you ask me like that."

"Then try to make her comfortable." After that she introduced them,
and Jeffrey Palliser stood opposite to Alice, talking to her, till
dinner was announced. "Alice, my dear," said the old man to her when they were together in
the jaunting-car, "you ought to get married." The Squire was hard
undertaking to do wrong, promised that she would apply to Alice for
her money, if sufficient funds should not be forthcoming from Mrs.
Greenow. Thereupon, George graciously consented to proceed to his "The money that George had." As the reader is aware, Alice had heard
nothing special about this money. She only knew, or supposed she as a contribution to the next election and George has it now locked
up in a box. Don't you tell him that I told you." "Should you?" said she, thinking of her close attachment to himself.

"And now, about the money," said George. "You must write to Alice at
once."--"Oh, George!" to you as part of Alice's fortune. Think of it, George; you would not
like to receive everything from her." it in his presence. "George has lost his election," the letter began.
For one moment Alice thought of her money, and the vain struggle
in which it had been wasted. For one moment, something like regret Vavasor had charged him. He had been told that he had advanced
money on behalf of Alice, in order that he might obtain some power
over Alice's fortune, and thus revenge himself upon Alice for her Squire would be only too glad to saddle the property with a legacy
to Alice for the repayment of this money, though he would not have
advanced a shilling himself for the purpose of the election. Then gone right through into his heart." After that George was left alone,
and sat thinking whether it would not be better to ask Alice for two
thousand pounds at once,--so as to save him from the disagreeable Mr. Grey with the amount. Alice, in accordance with her promise,
had told her father that the money was needed, and her father, in
accordance with his promise, had procured it without a word of the landlord of the "Handsome Man." In short, it would be well that
he should borrow a thousand pounds from Alice, and as he did not
wish that the family attorney of the Vavasors should be employed Grey's money matters were of such a nature as to make Mr. Tombe know
that he must do as he was bidden; and the money was paid to George
Vavasor's account. "Alice!--is that true?"

"Yes, George; it is true. If you will allow me to say so, I would
rather not talk about it;--not just at present." which he had been so ill able to spend, and on which he had laid
his hands in a manner so disreputable! He had received two thousand
pounds from the bills which Alice had executed on his behalf,--or "Where did he get the money to pay for his election?" the Squire
asked, as soon as he had swallowed the draught. "They wouldn't give
such a one as him credit a yard further than they could see him." in his possession as security. The capitalist was to have forty
pounds for the transaction, and George cursed him as he took his
cheque. George Vavasor knew quite enough of the commercial world to ambassador between him and Alice in money matters, as she had long
done in other things. He could talk to Kate as he could not talk to
Alice;--and then, between the women, those hard money necessities during the year of the love-passages between George and Alice, George
Vavasor's politics had been as conservative as you please. He did not make difficulty as to raising ready money. Mr. Tombe would be able
to raise ready money without difficulty. And then, at last, George
Vavasor was to be made to surrender his bride, taking or having taken it. Nor would she, perhaps, have been unalterably opposed to his
taking Alice's money, had Alice simply been his cousin. She felt that
it in his presence. "George has lost his election," the letter began.
For one moment Alice thought of her money, and the vain struggle
in which it had been wasted. For one moment, something like regret as a contribution to the next election and George has it now locked
up in a box. Don't you tell him that I told you." It has been already said that George Vavasor lost his election for
the Chelsea Districts, after all the money which he had spent,--money which had cost him so much, and the greedy electors who would not
send him there without his paying for it. He cursed John Grey, as he and get hisself elected if we was to let the game go by!" And so,
that the game might not go by, Mr. Grimes was now present in Mr. George
Vavasor's rooms. On the same afternoon she saw her father for a moment or two. "So
George has got himself returned," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, he has been successful. I'm sure you must be glad, papa." For the last five days of the affair George Vavasor knew that his
chance was gone. Mr. Scruby's face, manner, and words, told the result be on speaking terms when they reached it. "Yes," said George; "he
has gone at last. I wonder what we shall find to have been his latest
act of injustice." The reader will remember that he had received It was nearly the end of February when George Vavasor made his first
payment to Mr. Scruby on behalf of the coming election; and when he separate Alice and John Grey, and George had shown himself to be
unworthy of the kindness of her treachery. "I would give all I have asked for more at that time. As it is, I cannot make another payment
before the election." Mr. Scruby shrugged his shoulders, and said own work. But all that pride and joy were now over. She could no
longer write triumphant notes to Alice, speaking always of George as
one who was to be their joint hero, foretelling great things of his "We shall have another election in a month's time," said George. "I'm
safe enough," said Bott. "It never hurts a man at elections to be
closely connected with the Government." "If you were to say that we did not lose his, that would be nearer
the mark. But, John, you have come up to London in this sudden way to
speak to me about my letter to you. Is it not so?" after provision should have been made for this other election. They
were his enemies,--Alice and Mr. Grey,--and why should he keep any
terms with his enemies? It was still a trouble to him to think intended, at the general election; but he knew that if he now allowed
a Liberal to win the seat, the holder of the seat would be almost
sure of subsequent success. He must either fight now, or give up the that he would do his best. But George Vavasor soon knew that the
man was not doing his best,--that the man had, in truth, abandoned On the next morning George went to her. The reader will, perhaps,
remember their last interview. He had come to her after her letter to "Where did he get the money to pay for his election?" the Squire
asked, as soon as he had swallowed the draught. "They wouldn't give
such a one as him credit a yard further than they could see him." disappointment in regard to the seat in Parliament, and that he would
probably not return. "Poor George!" Alice had said; "he is a man
Mrs. Greenow's own marriage was completed with perfect success. She
took Captain Bellfield for better or for worse, with a thorough "Give him my kind love," said Mrs. Greenow, thereby resenting the
impotent interference. "And look here, Captain Bellfield, suppose you every shilling that Mrs. Greenow possessed; but with Captain Bellfield
she was comparatively safe. Bellfield's past life as Mrs. Greenow did herself; and Mrs. Greenow
was no doubt aware that such was the case. Nevertheless, she had a Bellfield," said he. "I'm particularly engaged with Mrs. Greenow, as
any gentleman might have seen." And Mrs. Greenow also understood the arrangement. "Going to Oileymead;
are you?" she said when Captain Bellfield came to tell her of his There was no doubt as to Mrs. Greenow's correctness. As Captain
Bellfield held, or had held, her Majesty's commission, he was clearly now?" whispered Bellfield into her ear as he went. She merely frowned
at him, and bade him begone, so that the walk which Mrs. Greenow began
with one lover she ended in company with the other. Mr. Cheesacre had vainly endeavoured to arrange that Mrs. Greenow
should return with him. But not only was Captain Bellfield opposed It will be remembered that Mrs. Greenow had spoken with considerable
severity of Captain Bellfield's pretensions when discussing his
character with her niece; but, nevertheless, on the present occasion wealthy widow! Indeed, for a woman wanting a husband of that sort,
Captain Bellfield was a safer venture than would be a man of a higher
standing among his creditors. It is true Bellfield might have been "Effects of the farmyard," said Mrs. Greenow aloud, in Jeannette's
hearing, when she received the note. "It would be well for Captain
Bellfield if he had a few such effects himself." dull, Mrs. Greenow had, with her usual good-nature, invited Captain
Bellfield. A very nice little dinner they had. The captain carved the "Show Captain Bellfield up, certainly," said Mrs. Greenow.

"D---- Captain Bellfield!" said Mr. Cheesacre.




CHAPTER XXI. along, my hearty." It really almost appeared that Captain Bellfield
was addressing Mrs. Greenow as "his hearty," but it must be presumed But Mrs. Greenow had found out that she was alone, not very rich,
and in want of the solace of society. Therefore she had, from sheer Captain Bellfield declared that he would only be too happy.

"And Charlie shall come to set her cap at Mr. Cheesacre," said the
widow, turning a soft and gracious eye on the Captain. well, but he could not enjoy that pleasure while Captain Bellfield
was in the very act of making progress with the widow. "One would
think that he had given it himself; wouldn't you?" he said to Maria's "I can easily believe that, Mrs. Greenow," said the Captain.

"Who cares what you believe, sir?" said Mr. Cheesacre. "And is that to make a change? Oh! Mrs. Greenow, who would have
thought to find you mercenary like that? Inherited property! Is she
going to fling a man over because of that?"
Glencora. But there had been no such scheme; she had wronged Lady
Glencora, and had therefore been unable to resist her second request.
But she felt unhappy, fearing that she would be out of her element, "I will speak to him," said Lady Glencora. "I will speak to him,
and then he shall leave me." She was holding him by the hand now "You wrong me, Plantagenet," said Glencora. "There was only one heap,
and that did not remain long. Did it, Alice?"

"It is impossible to make you ashamed of anything," he said. "You want some one to break your heart for you; that's what you
want," said Lady Glencora. In saying this she knew but little of Glencora away from her husband. Bad as had been his life he had
never before done aught so bad as that. The more fixed his intention
became, the more thoroughly he came to perceive how great and "Don't say that, Glencora."

"Why not say it,--to you?" "Why should I not marry him?" said Lady Glencora, with her eyes
flashing. "He is my equal." He chiefly concerns our story at this present time because the Lady
Glencora who had loved him,--and would have married him had not those For some time after this Lady Glencora's conduct was frequently so
indiscreet as to drive her husband almost to frenzy. On the very day herself away from his house. It might be all very well for Lady
Glencora to fight with Mrs. Marsham,--and with her husband, too, in "I've a particular favour to ask of you," Lady Glencora said to
her husband, as soon as they were alone together in their rooms at "My dear Mrs. Marsham, if you were me, indeed you would," and Lady
Glencora also looked at her husband.

"I think it a foolish thing to do," said Mr. Palliser, sternly. to stay to see you off, but that he will not be allowed to take you
away." Lady Glencora thought that this was very pretty as coming from
her husband, and so she told him on their way home. denied to her? Burgo knew well what must be the nature of such a
woman's life in such circumstances. Would Glencora be happy with him
while living such a life simply because he loved her? And, under such She could not doubt that Lady Glencora had intended to declare that,
if opportunity offered itself, she would leave her husband, and put
herself under the protection of Mr. Fitzgerald; and Alice, moreover, "But I have promised to go at once."

"Then, considering your position, you have made a promise which it
behoves you to break. I am sure Lady Glencora will see it in that
light." But, dear Glencora, you should not go there;--I mean it in all
kindness and love,--I do indeed." Saying this she offered her hand to
Glencora, and Glencora took it. "Glencora," said she, rising from her chair, "I think I'll leave
you alone with Mrs. Marsham. I'm not disposed to discuss Mr. Bott's on Burgo's behalf. "There can be no reason why he should not take
it," said Glencora. "None the least. Had it not been promised to him? would be as serviceable as it could be to Lady Glencora. Indeed, she
had already begun to feel the impossibility of staying quietly at
home. She could lecture her cousin, whose faults were open, easy to
him desire her love also. But it was not so. It was necessary for
his comfort that she should, at any rate, say she loved him. "Well,
Alice, and what about the heart?" he asked again. so he would not, in truth, add to Alice's misery. He could hardly
bring himself to think it possible that she did, in truth, love her "Go away," said she. "Go, Alice; you and I must part. I cannot bear
it any longer. You must know it all. When you are married to John John Grey,--or rather perhaps was not satisfied with herself in
having loved him. In her many thoughts on the subject, she always
admitted to herself that she had accepted him simply because she He was killing her by his goodness. She could not speak to him yet;
but now, as he mentioned Alice's name, she gently put up her hand and
rested it on the back of his. John Grey certainly did not think about it. He knew well that Alice
was independent, and that she was not inclined to give up that
independence to anyone. He had not expected that her father would John Grey had so nearly taken from him. If Alice could have been
taught to think as he did as to the absurdity of those indissoluble
ties, that would have been better. But nothing would have been more "Alice, that is untrue. He does not; and you have seen clearly that
it is so. It may be that he can love no woman. But another woman true that had Alice neither seen nor heard from Kate during the
progress of John Grey's courtship, John Grey would not have lost his
wife. But against this truth Alice was always protesting within her "Yes;--love him: as a woman should love her husband. Is not your
heart his? Alice, there need be no lies now. If it be so, it should that self-devotion. She had left John Grey because she feared that
she would do him no good as his wife,--that she would not make him
happy; and she had afterwards betrothed herself for a second time to suggest to herself that it had been coloured by any fears or
exaggerations on the part of her correspondent. She knew that Alice
was true. And, moreover, much as she loved her brother,--willing as receive Mr. John Grey with open arms, if there were any possibility
that her cousin would open her arms to him also. But Alice was so
stubborn about her own affairs that her friend found it almost joy as that which he desired to see. And now, at this moment, she
feared with an excessive fear that there would come some demand for
an outward demonstration of love, such as he in his position might it again. I do not know how to explain that it was so; but it was
this perfect command of himself at all seasons which had in part made
Alice afraid of him, and drove her to believe that they were not John, together with John, the lover, whom he so hated, might be the
conspirators. To him it seemed to be certain that Alice and Mr. Grey upon her. "Alice, if you will tell me that you do not love me, I will
believe you, and will trouble you no more. I know that you will say at him, at first, almost furtively. She was afraid of him. It must
be confessed that she already feared him. Had there been in the man do not care to marry him." It was thus that he read Alice's present
treatment of him, and he was a man who could not endure this
treatment with ease. loved with the perfect love of equality. But though impatient, and
fully aware of his own impatience, he acknowledged to himself that
Alice could not be expected to share it. He could plan nothing
MY DEAR PLANTAGENET,--Give my kind love to Glencora. If
   it's a boy, of course I will be one of the godfathers. Lady Glencora been the happy possessor of a cradle up-stairs with a
boy in it. I suppose he must have done so. It is hardly possible that Lady Glencora was no miracle. Though born in the purple, she was
made of ordinary flesh and blood, and as she entered Lady Monk's "You wrong me, Plantagenet," said Glencora. "There was only one heap,
and that did not remain long. Did it, Alice?"

"It is impossible to make you ashamed of anything," he said. "Yes, my bonny boy,--you have made it all right for me;--have you
not?" And Lady Glencora took her baby into her own arms. "You have that Mr. Palliser's marriage had given him no child, and that Lady
Glencora was unhappy,--they made their remarks in triumph rather
than in sorrow. I will not say that they looked forward approvingly "Something like Juan and HaidÃ©e, with Planty Pall coming after you,
like old Lambro." By the nickname of Planty Pall George Vavasor
intended to designate Lady Glencora's present husband. Mr. Bott also had declared that Lady Glencora was very young. It was
probable, therefore, that that special phrase had been used in some 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." At breakfast the next morning nothing was said for a while about the
new arrival. At last Mr. Palliser ventured to speak. "Glencora has Midlothian. "Let her jump upon you, and have done with it," Lady
Glencora had said. She had resolved that it should be so, but it was
very hard to keep her resolution. "I will speak to him," said Lady Glencora. "I will speak to him,
and then he shall leave me." She was holding him by the hand now 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 At last, while he was still in the supper room, he heard Lady
Glencora's name announced. He had already seen Mr. Palliser come in "Lady Glencora not coming!" said Burgo, betraying by his look and the
tone of his voice too clearly that this change in the purpose of a "Don't say that, Glencora."

"Why not say it,--to you?" 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 "I say nothing about the second. I don't know that there is any
second. I wonder how we shall find Lady Glencora and the boy." They But the prospect was no doubt very distant. Lady Glencora might yet
have as many sons as Hecuba. Or she might die, and some other more "I've a particular favour to ask of you," Lady Glencora said to
her husband, as soon as they were alone together in their rooms at
The marriage was magnificent, greatly to the dismay of Alice and
to the discomfort of Mr. Vavasor, who came down on the eve of the Alice must be happy to feel that she has had it in her power to
confer so great a benefit on her future husband as he will receive
from this introduction." "I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred there was much in his condition, as connected with the house which
he was leaving, which could not but make him unhappy. Alice was
engaged to be his wife, and had as yet said nothing to show that she Alice wished her joy heartily,--"heartily," she said, but had
declined that office of bridesmaid. She did not wish to undergo the do not care to marry him." It was thus that he read Alice's present
treatment of him, and he was a man who could not endure this
treatment with ease. "Alice," he continued, "I do not expect you to say much to me; but
there is a question or two which I think you will answer. Has a day
been fixed for this marriage?"

"No," she said. wretched indeed." She took Alice up to see her trousseau, and gave
the other expectant bride some little hints which, under present That word "husband," which her cousin had twice used, was painful to
Alice's ear. She shrunk from it with palpable bodily suffering. Marry with Alice, did not quarrel with her _Ã  l'outrance_. They snubbed
herself and her chosen husband; but they did not so far separate But Alice, though she would have said so had she dared, made no
answer to this. She sat silent, turning her face away from his gaze,
longing that the meeting might be over, and feeling that she had lost
her own self-respect. "When are you to be married, Alice?" said George at last.

"Oh, George!" said she. "You ask me a question as though you were
putting a pistol to my ear." "But Grey, you do not know Alice; you do not understand my girl. When
she had lost her fortune nothing would induce her to become your
wife." She had said that she would become the wife of a man to whom she
could not cleave with a wife's love; and, mad with a vile ambition, and leave her husband's house. She had intended to show it to Alice
on this occasion; but as Alice had refused her request, she was glad Alice said what she could to comfort her, but her words were but of
little avail as regarded those marriage sorrows. to make his marriage with her a comfort to him. She took it for
granted that that marriage was now one distasteful to him, as it was
to herself, and that he would eventually be the gainer if she should To tell the truth, Alice was frightened at what she had done, and
almost repented of it already. Her acceptance of her cousin's But she had not been happy in accepting it. She was not happy now
that she had accepted it. She could not show to him any sign of such "Oh, yes; she means to marry him, and the sooner the better now. I
knew this was coming, but I did so hope it would not be while you
were here. It makes me feel so ashamed of myself that you should see
it." marriage. Nor had it been by any means her first fault of the same
kind. Till Alice had become engaged to Mr. Grey she had spoken of
He chiefly concerns our story at this present time because the Lady
Glencora who had loved him,--and would have married him had not those says that he loves me," said Lady Glencora to herself, "but he does
not know what love means." 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." Lady Glencora, as she went on quickly, got hold of her husband's
hand, and caressed it. "You are so good," said she. "Don't let him "But I love you with all my heart," said Alice. "Glencora, I have
learned to love you so dearly!" nor the dangers of love, acknowledged that Glencora was young. He
especially wished that she should be discreet and matronly; he feared
no lovers, but he feared that she might do silly things,--that Glencora. But there had been no such scheme; she had wronged Lady
Glencora, and had therefore been unable to resist her second request.
But she felt unhappy, fearing that she would be out of her element, which is strong while it lasts, but which can be laid down when the
need of it is passed. She had liked and loved Lady Glencora, and had
in no degree been afraid of her during those strange visitings in same effect. To Lady Glencora it had seemed to convey an assurance
of devoted love,--of that love which, in former days, her friends But, dear Glencora, you should not go there;--I mean it in all
kindness and love,--I do indeed." Saying this she offered her hand to
Glencora, and Glencora took it. "Why should I not marry him?" said Lady Glencora, with her eyes
flashing. "He is my equal." had loved a man and had separated herself from him and had married
another all within a month or two. Lady Glencora first became red as
fire over her whole face and shoulders, and Alice afterwards did the "You are going to-morrow, and if I did not speak to you now I should
have no other opportunity. Glencora seems to be very much attached to
you, and we all thought it so good a thing that she should have such
a friend." Palliser; but Lady Glencora she knew, and liked, and almost loved,
from the first moment of their meeting. "Don't say that, Glencora."

"Why not say it,--to you?" "I've a particular favour to ask of you," Lady Glencora said to
her husband, as soon as they were alone together in their rooms at "I will speak to him," said Lady Glencora. "I will speak to him,
and then he shall leave me." She was holding him by the hand now 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 "Glencora!"

"And that odious baboon with the red bristles does the same
thing,--only he goes to her because he doesn't dare to go to you." denied to her? Burgo knew well what must be the nature of such a
woman's life in such circumstances. Would Glencora be happy with him
while living such a life simply because he loved her? And, under such
George only as her brother, or as her friend's cousin, but now she
was constantly making allusion to those past occurrences, which all
of them should have striven to forget. Under these circumstances was said that he would go out and look about the place. George, in the
meantime, had asked his sister to show him his room, and the two were
already together up-stairs. "Of course she won't," said George, as he threw back the letter to
his sister. "Why should she?"

"I had hoped she would," said Kate. "Your sister, George, has thought that my parting with Mr. Grey
might lead to a renewal of a purpose of marriage between you and me. fun and gratification. As we should be poor travellers alone, George
has promised to go with his sister. Papa knows all about it, and
never thought of making any objection." was from her brother George; and as she opened it looked anxiously
into Alice's face. "Has he offended you?" Kate asked. with her uncle and her brother. As it was, they were all restrained
by something of the courtesy which strangers are bound to show to
each other. George had never seen his aunt since he was a child, and George when he left the room in which he had insulted the lawyer,
went immediately across to the parlour in which his aunt and sister "Yes,"--said Grey; "she has written to me."

"And told you about her cousin George. I tried to hinder her from
writing, but she is very wilful." Kate was very persistent in her objection to this scheme till
George's answer came. His answer to Alice was accompanied by a letter
to his sister, and after that Kate said nothing more about the George went in, shrugging his shoulders as his eyes met his sister's.
It was in this fashion that the reconciliation took place between
Squire Vavasor and his heir. which she feared she would regret when she found herself settled
at Nethercoats. She envied Kate. Kate could, as his sister, attach
herself on to George's political career, and obtain from it all that nature to serve her own purpose if read by her brother. But they had
not been of this nature. They had spoken of George as a man with
whom any closer connection than that which existed at present was together. George smoked all the time that they were in the carriage,
and very few words were spoken. As they drove up to the old house,
they found that another arrival had taken place before them,--Mrs. The thing had come so suddenly upon George Vavasor that there was not
time for him to carry on his further operations through his sister. She had allowed that her brother George's behaviour had been such as
to make any engagement between them impossible. The fault, therefore,
had been hers in making any reference to the question of such a The brother and sister walked through two or three streets in
silence, and then Kate asked a question.

"George, I wonder what your wishes really are about Alice?" Neither her uncle nor her aunt believed her. That was a matter of
course, and she knew that they did not believe her. George's absence, On the next morning George went to her. The reader will, perhaps,
remember their last interview. He had come to her after her letter to with George Vavasor's sister. But she acknowledged that she had not
intended to stay long in Westmoreland, probably not more than a week,
marriage. Nor had it been by any means her first fault of the same
kind. Till Alice had become engaged to Mr. Grey she had spoken of should spend all your money, if you do not marry him at last." In
answer to this, Alice said nothing. On that point her father's wishes
were fast growing to be identical with her own. also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to "When are you to be married, Alice?" said George at last.

"Oh, George!" said she. "You ask me a question as though you were
putting a pistol to my ear." Then came the business of telling this new love tale,--the
third which poor Alice had been forced to tell her father and And now, once again, Alice,--dearest Alice, will you
   be my wife? I have been punished, and I have kissed the "She and that man, and--. Never mind. It makes me sick when I think
that they should be so blind. Alice, I hardly know how much I owe to Alice must be happy to feel that she has had it in her power to
confer so great a benefit on her future husband as he will receive
from this introduction." "I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred Previous to this they had met; and Alice, at her cousin Kate's
instigation, had induced her father to meet him. But at first there
had been no renewal of real friendship. Alice had given her cordial "Then, sir, you think wrong. I am at this moment her affianced
husband; and I find that, in spite of all that she has said to "Another!" said he. And by the tone of his voice he accused his
granddaughter of having a larger number of favoured suitors than
ought to fall to the lot of any young lady. It was very hard upon
her, but still she went on. "No, Mr. Fitzgerald; it cannot be so. Alice do not go. I sent for my
cousin when I saw you, because I did not choose to be alone with you.
I have asked you to go--" he had endeavoured to make himself agreeable. "I will marry you,"
Alice had said to him,--not in words, but in acts and looks, which Each morning Kate asked her whether her answer was written; and on
the third day after Christmas, just before dinner, Alice said that
she had written it, and that it was gone. had loved a man and had separated herself from him and had married
another all within a month or two. Lady Glencora first became red as
fire over her whole face and shoulders, and Alice afterwards did the He was killing her by his goodness. She could not speak to him yet;
but now, as he mentioned Alice's name, she gently put up her hand and
rested it on the back of his. "Alice," he said again. And then, as slowly she looked up at him, he
asked her for her hand. "You may give it me," he said, "as to an old often come up to her, rubbing his hands together, and saying little
words, as though there was some reason from their positions that they
two should be friends. Alice had perceived this, and had endeavoured "Yes you are, Alice; in the most special crisis of a girl's life. You
are still a girl, but you are the promised wife of a very worthy man, "Well, Alice, as your father, I can only implore you to pause before
you commit yourself to his hands. If he demands money from you, and
Grey's money matters were of such a nature as to make Mr. Tombe know
that he must do as he was bidden; and the money was paid to George
Vavasor's account. undertaking to do wrong, promised that she would apply to Alice for
her money, if sufficient funds should not be forthcoming from Mrs.
Greenow. Thereupon, George graciously consented to proceed to his "Well; if you ask me I should say you had," said George. "I know I
paid Mr. Scruby three hundred pounds on your account." CHAPTER LXXII.

Showing How George Vavasor Paid a Visit. as a contribution to the next election and George has it now locked
up in a box. Don't you tell him that I told you." in his possession as security. The capitalist was to have forty
pounds for the transaction, and George cursed him as he took his
cheque. George Vavasor knew quite enough of the commercial world to "The money that George had." As the reader is aware, Alice had heard
nothing special about this money. She only knew, or supposed she It was nearly the end of February when George Vavasor made his first
payment to Mr. Scruby on behalf of the coming election; and when he "Should you?" said she, thinking of her close attachment to himself.

"And now, about the money," said George. "You must write to Alice at
once."--"Oh, George!" money should be forthcoming; and she wrote again before the end of
January, saying that the sum named had been paid to George's credit
at his own bankers. perhaps, a great deal of pretended feeling. Why should I be angry
with a man for wishing to get that for which every man is struggling?
At this point of George's career the use of money is essential to "My money! He couldn't have said that!"

"But he did, Mrs. Greenow; I give you my word and honour. 'I'll pay
you when I get the widow's money,' he said." "Well; my love, if I understood you rightly, your cousin George wants
some money."

"I did not say that he wants it now; but I think he will want it
before the time for the election comes." make difficulty as to raising ready money. Mr. Tombe would be able
to raise ready money without difficulty. And then, at last, George
Vavasor was to be made to surrender his bride, taking or having taken "I'll be shot if I can understand you. George, you know, has had
two thousand pounds of your money,--of yours or somebody else's. wealth to Burgo Fitzgerald. Burgo had had money dealings with George
Vavasor, and knew him,--knew him intimately, and had learned the George returned to town at the end of those four days, and found that
the thousand pounds was duly placed to his credit before the end of George Vavasor and Mr. Scruby, between them, yielded at last, so far
as to allow the bill to be drawn for ninety-two pounds, but they were together. George smoked all the time that they were in the carriage,
and very few words were spoken. As they drove up to the old house,
they found that another arrival had taken place before them,--Mrs. promise made to her cousin. She was resolved that George should have
the money, and she knew that she could give it to him in spite of her
father. But her father might probably be able to delay the gift, and
And then John Grey came up to town, arriving a day or two after the
time that he had fixed. It is not, perhaps, improbable that Alice John Grey had so nearly taken from him. If Alice could have been
taught to think as he did as to the absurdity of those indissoluble
ties, that would have been better. But nothing would have been more had tried, and had in his way, believed. He had flattered himself,
too, that Alice's heart had, in truth, been more prone to him than to often come up to her, rubbing his hands together, and saying little
words, as though there was some reason from their positions that they
two should be friends. Alice had perceived this, and had endeavoured as for John Grey, he succeeded so well that his success almost made
Alice angry with him. It required no effort with him at all to be
successful in this matter. "If he can forget all that has passed, Alice returned to the room, and Mrs. Sparkes immediately saw that
she had in truth been running from Mr. Bott. "I hope I shall be able to him in Suffolk Street. Having begun the history of his connection
with Alice, he found himself obliged to go with it to the end, and as
he described the way in which the man had vanished from the sight of had done, he had shown himself to be unmoved by that episode in their
joint lives, which Alice's other friends had regarded as so fatal.
When she first rejected him, he would not take his rejection. When watching him; but he never once turned to look back at me. Do you
know, Alice, I fancy that I shall never see him again." But the object which he had now in view was a renewal of his
engagement with Alice, and he felt that he must obtain an answer from Alice and had shaken her rudely as she sat beside him. He had been
guided by no fixed intent when he had attacked John Grey, or when any friend in the house. He could hardly tell himself what line of
conduct he would pursue, but he thought that he would hurry back
to London, and grasp at whatever money he could get from Alice. He 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 "And so John Grey has been here. He has left his stick in the hall. I
should know it among a thousand."

"Yes; he has been here."

"Is anything the matter, Alice?" He thought of sending for her by telegram, but even in that there
would have been too much delay. He resolved, therefore, to make his
application to Alice himself, and he wrote to her, explaining his father is dead," said John Vavasor. Whereupon Alice gave him Kate's
letter, that he might read it. "Of course I shall go down," he said, "I wish you could have seen him; but you will some day. I don't know
whether you care for men being handsome." Alice thought of John Grey, On the day before she started for Westmoreland her father came to her
in the middle of the day, and told her that John Grey was going to
dine with him in Queen Anne Street on that evening. true that had Alice neither seen nor heard from Kate during the
progress of John Grey's courtship, John Grey would not have lost his
wife. But against this truth Alice was always protesting within her "Because in such case I also must see him. God bless you, Alice! God
bless you, dearest, dearest Alice!" Then he went, and she sat there
"You see," the glance had said, "Plantagenet is beginning to take an
interest in his cousin, and you know why. The man who is to be the "Plantagenet," she said, "you told me last night, as I was going to
bed, that you had something to say about Lady Monk's party." "Why should he hate you?"

"I can't help it, you know, if he does. Only think what it is to
Plantagenet. Have you seen the difference it makes in him already?" whom the Duke used to favour, and he wants Plantagenet to come in for
that. I can't understand what difference it makes." "I don't want to stop you, Plantagenet. Pray, go on. Only it will be
so nice to have it over." "I know what your thoughts are, Plantagenet." "What is the matter, now, Plantagenet?" said his wife.

"Nothing," said he;--"nothing. Never mind."

"And shall we make this party up to the chapel?" "I don't think you would, Plantagenet." And she nodded her little
head at him, as she spoke. "I'm sure I don't know what you would do. "Plantagenet has spoken to you?" "No, Plantagenet; I do not think so."

"Do you believe that I have commissioned Mr. Bott to watch your
conduct? Answer me, Glencora." But, Plantagenet, I hope you will forgive me if I say that no
consideration shall induce me to receive again as a guest, in my own
house, either Mrs. Marsham or Mr. Bott." "You must know, Plantagenet," she went on, "that it is impossible for
three women dressed to go out in one carriage. I am sure you wouldn't
like to see me afterwards if I had been one of them." "Do you know, Alice, though they all say that Plantagenet is one of
the wisest men in London, I sometimes think that he is one of the "He did with you, which is all the same thing. And when Plantagenet
knew of that,--for, of course, Mr. Bott told him--"

"Mr. Bott can't see everything." upright for half a minute, and then sat down again. "I beg your
pardon, Plantagenet," she said. "I think I know what you want, and ever will. The Duke comes for one week in the year, and Plantagenet
says he hates to do that. As for me, nothing on earth shall ever make "Then, Plantagenet, you shouldn't have told her so, and that's the
long--; but I mustn't say that. The truth is this, if you give me any "Dear Alice, this is so good of you! I am all in the midst of
packing, and Plantagenet is helping me." Plantagenet winced a little "You owe nothing to me," said Plantagenet, with some little touch of
magniloquence in his tone. "No; don't speak of it. I have no brother, "It is a pity you should do nothing all your life," his cousin
Plantagenet said to him one morning just at this time. Jeffrey had
"Mrs. Greenow," he exclaimed at last, jumping up before her; "dearest
Mrs. Greenow; darling Mrs. Greenow, will you be my wife? There! I "Settled!" said Mrs. Greenow, astounded, as though there must have
been some hidden marriage of which she had not heard. "But that's straying very wide as long as his intended wife should be able to
keep the purse-strings altogether in her own hands. Therefore, I say
that Mrs. Greenow had been lucky in her choice, and not altogether "Ah, but it can be. Come, Mrs. Greenow. We understand each other well
enough now, surely. Come, dearest." And he approached her as though Mrs. Greenow's own marriage was completed with perfect success. She
took Captain Bellfield for better or for worse, with a thorough Squire's will had no doubt reached him, and he was now willing to
take advantage of that assistance which Mrs. Greenow had before
offered him in this matter. The time had come in which he ought to "So you are George," said Mrs. Greenow, putting out her hand and
smiling.

"Yes; I'm George," said he. "And is that to make a change? Oh! Mrs. Greenow, who would have
thought to find you mercenary like that? Inherited property! Is she
going to fling a man over because of that?" by getting a rich wife. In the course of the cross-examination Mrs.
Greenow got much information out of him; and then, when she was
satisfied that she had learned, not exactly all the truth, but But Mrs. Greenow had found out that she was alone, not very rich,
and in want of the solace of society. Therefore she had, from sheer now?" whispered Bellfield into her ear as he went. She merely frowned
at him, and bade him begone, so that the walk which Mrs. Greenow began
with one lover she ended in company with the other. It will perhaps be as well to say a few words about Mrs. Greenow
before we go with her to Yarmouth. Mrs. Greenow was the only daughter "Mrs. Greenow, you mistake me. Indeed, you mistake me." Just at this
moment, as he was drawing close to the widow, she heard, or fancied held her in awe, and slunk away. On this occasion Mrs. Greenow clung
lovingly to her future husband, and the effect was that Mr. Cheesacre "And, besides, how could I laugh at marriages, seeing how happy I
have been in that condition?--so--very--happy," and Mrs. Greenow put
up her handkerchief to her eyes. "Then, I suppose, he will tell her," said John Vavasor. After that
he explained the circumstances of the will to Mrs. Greenow. "Bravo," "Mrs. Greenow," said he, jumping up, and becoming on a sudden full of
life, "that man is a downright swindler."

"Oh, Mr. Cheesacre." "I can easily believe that, Mrs. Greenow," said the Captain.

"Who cares what you believe, sir?" said Mr. Cheesacre. At last, when Bellfield had come to an end of praising Mrs. Greenow,
he told the guests that he wished to join his friend Mr. Cheesacre in "You are always wanting to marry me, Mrs. Greenow."
she had spoken openly to Kate. We know that Kate had in part betrayed
her, but Alice suspected no such treason. She had often quarrelled "My sister,--my own sister," said Kate. And then, as Alice met her
embrace, there was no longer any doubt as to the nature of the reply. "Kate, don't talk in that way," and Alice came up to her and embraced
her. also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to "Why did you not ask Alice to come to you?"

"Alice could not have come," said Kate, after a short pause. "Whom in all the world would you best like to see?" said Glencora.

"My cousin Kate, certainly," said Alice. Alice felt that she was blushing. The caution had been given to Kate
because Kate still transgressed in her letters, by saying little
words about her brother. And Alice did not even now believe Kate knew was not properly due from her. Kate was acquainted with all the
circumstances of that old affair between her brother and Alice. She
had given in her adhesion to the propriety of what Alice had done. Alice was seated quite at the end of the gallery, and Kate's chair
was at her feet in the corner. When Alice and Kate had seated Kate's performance of her promise with reference to Alice, if that
answer should be unfavourable. During these five days Kate did all
in her power to induce her brother to be, at any rate, kind in his This letter from Alice to Kate, Vavasor read over and over again,
though Kate's letter to himself, which was the longer one, he had a husband worthy of her, that she might allure her into the arms of
one so utterly unworthy? Luckily for Kate, her accident was of such a
nature that any writing to Alice was now out of the question. Previous to this they had met; and Alice, at her cousin Kate's
instigation, had induced her father to meet him. But at first there
had been no renewal of real friendship. Alice had given her cordial had chiefly reference to her two nieces, and especially to Alice.
How was she to account for this second lover? Kate, of course, knew
all about it; but how could Alice be made to understand that she, "I don't believe that Kate thinks much of that," said Alice. Kate had made up her mind that she would say nothing about Alice at
the present moment,--nothing, if it could be avoided, till after the Kate and Alice, as they drew near to their journey's end, were both
a little flurried, and I cannot but own that there was cause for "Early in July, I believe. It will be very hot, but Kate must be back
by the middle of August." Kate Vavasor was Alice's first cousin.

"Oh! Kate is to go with you?" Kate was very persistent in her objection to this scheme till
George's answer came. His answer to Alice was accompanied by a letter
to his sister, and after that Kate said nothing more about the Kate had been very false to her friend, and had sent up to her
brother the very letter which Alice had written to her after that
meeting in Queen Anne Street which was described in the last
Alice, you will marry an old husband; but even you shall not be
allowed to say that my heart is old." "I am becoming a very old woman, Alice," the poor lady said,
piteously, "and I suppose I had better not interfere any further. "Alice is young still, and they tell me she's as good looking as
ever. A girl with her money won't have far to seek for a husband, Alice. "What a taste Mr. Palliser must have!" Alice thought to herself.

"But I need not tell you that Lady Glencowrer is--very young; we may
say, very young indeed." years;--for Alice Vavasor when she will be introduced to the reader
had already passed her twenty-fourth birthday. Alice kissed her, as was customary with them, and the old lady as
she went uttered her customary valediction. "God bless you, my dear. Each morning Kate asked her whether her answer was written; and on
the third day after Christmas, just before dinner, Alice said that
she had written it, and that it was gone. love. Alice, in the years of her childhood, had been brought up by
Lady Macleod; at the age of twelve she had been sent to a school at should watch closely over her. She was a girl, he thought, who could
do as well without surveillance as with it,--as well, or perhaps
better. So it had come to pass that Alice had been the free mistress A few words must be said as to Alice Vavasor's person; one fact
also must be told, and then, I believe, I may start upon my story. living;--don't he, Alice?" Then were perpetrated various mysterious
ceremonies of feminine idolatry which were continued till there came
a grandly dressed old lady, who called herself the nurse, and who "Alice, my dear," said the old man to her when they were together in
the jaunting-car, "you ought to get married." The Squire was hard side, and from her great position, you know, Alice--" But here Alice
became impatient for the letter. Her aunt handed it to her, and she
read as follows:-- "Alice, you are such a fool!"

"So you tell me very often." "Alice!--is that true?"

"Yes, George; it is true. If you will allow me to say so, I would
rather not talk about it;--not just at present." "Well, aunt," said Alice, as the old lady walked into the
drawing-room one morning at eleven o'clock. Alice always called Lady also first cousin to Alice. He was heir to the old squire down in
Westmoreland, with whom Kate lived, their father being dead. Nothing,
it would seem, could be more rational than that Alice should go to "She and that man, and--. Never mind. It makes me sick when I think
that they should be so blind. Alice, I hardly know how much I owe to often come up to her, rubbing his hands together, and saying little
words, as though there was some reason from their positions that they
two should be friends. Alice had perceived this, and had endeavoured
"I don't want to stop you, Plantagenet. Pray, go on. Only it will be
so nice to have it over." "You see," the glance had said, "Plantagenet is beginning to take an
interest in his cousin, and you know why. The man who is to be the "Plantagenet," she said, "you told me last night, as I was going to
bed, that you had something to say about Lady Monk's party." "What is the matter, now, Plantagenet?" said his wife.

"Nothing," said he;--"nothing. Never mind."

"And shall we make this party up to the chapel?" "Why should he hate you?"

"I can't help it, you know, if he does. Only think what it is to
Plantagenet. Have you seen the difference it makes in him already?" "I know what your thoughts are, Plantagenet." whom the Duke used to favour, and he wants Plantagenet to come in for
that. I can't understand what difference it makes." But, Plantagenet, I hope you will forgive me if I say that no
consideration shall induce me to receive again as a guest, in my own
house, either Mrs. Marsham or Mr. Bott." "He did with you, which is all the same thing. And when Plantagenet
knew of that,--for, of course, Mr. Bott told him--"

"Mr. Bott can't see everything." "Let me speak now, Plantagenet, It is better that I should tell you
everything; and I will. I will tell you everything;--everything! I do "You owe nothing to me," said Plantagenet, with some little touch of
magniloquence in his tone. "No; don't speak of it. I have no brother, upright for half a minute, and then sat down again. "I beg your
pardon, Plantagenet," she said. "I think I know what you want, and for my sake you'll let him have it. But don't let him gamble. If you
could only get him home to England, and then do something. You owe
him something, Plantagenet; do you not?" "No, Plantagenet; I do not think so."

"Do you believe that I have commissioned Mr. Bott to watch your
conduct? Answer me, Glencora." "I don't think you would, Plantagenet." And she nodded her little
head at him, as she spoke. "I'm sure I don't know what you would do. "That's the evil you have got to cure."

"My cousin Plantagenet suggested--marriage." ever will. The Duke comes for one week in the year, and Plantagenet
says he hates to do that. As for me, nothing on earth shall ever make "They've been talking together till sometimes I think Mr. Grey is
worse than Plantagenet. When Mr. Grey began to say something the other "Plantagenet has spoken to you?" "Then, Plantagenet, you shouldn't have told her so, and that's the
long--; but I mustn't say that. The truth is this, if you give me any
"Mr. Palliser wants me to go into Parliament." Upon hearing this Alice
said nothing. She was afraid to speak. After all that had passed she disappointment in regard to the seat in Parliament, and that he would
probably not return. "Poor George!" Alice had said; "he is a man When Alice heard of her cousin's success, and understood that he was
actually Member of Parliament for the Chelsea Districts, she resolved would have been as nothing to this. When I think that he has forced
his way into Parliament without any great friend, with nothing to
back him but his own wit"--she had, in truth, forgotten Alice's money "They say he is led immensely by his wife, and that she is very
clever. But I mean this chiefly, Alice, that I do hope I shall have
all your sympathy in any political career that I may make, and all
your assistance also." Alice returned to the room, and Mrs. Sparkes immediately saw that
she had in truth been running from Mr. Bott. "I hope I shall be able John Grey had so nearly taken from him. If Alice could have been
taught to think as he did as to the absurdity of those indissoluble
ties, that would have been better. But nothing would have been more and congratulating himself that at any rate, in his county,
parliamentary reform had been powerless to alter the old political
arrangements. Alice Vavasor, whose offence against the world I am to given up Parliament, and everything else! I had doubted much about
him before, but it was that which first turned my heart against
him. I had begun to fear that he was not such a man as I had always career in Parliament, and saying little soft things of his enduring
love. It was no longer possible to her now to write of George at all,
and it was equally impossible to Alice. Indeed, no letters passed about her welfare with a perfect stranger." Then she did get up,
and went away from the Member of Parliament, leaving him rather
astonished at her audacity. But he was a constant man, and his inner often come up to her, rubbing his hands together, and saying little
words, as though there was some reason from their positions that they
two should be friends. Alice had perceived this, and had endeavoured the borough till Parliament meets." That had been the message sent
by Mr. Palliser to Mr. Grey. Lady Glencora's message to Alice had been reading it was one to him of intense agony. Hitherto he had fed
himself with hope. That Alice should have been brought to think of
her engagement with him in a spirit of doubt and with a mind so "He was a man I specially disliked," said Alice, with great courage.
"He may be very well in Parliament; but I never met a man who could This idea of his, however, had been greatly shaken by Alice's
treatment of himself personally; but still he had not, hitherto, Alice must be happy to feel that she has had it in her power to
confer so great a benefit on her future husband as he will receive
from this introduction." "I ain't a bit happy, and I have conferred "And a Member of Parliament!" said Mrs. Greenow. "It's quite an
honour to the family. I felt so proud when I heard it!" She said this there was much in his condition, as connected with the house which
he was leaving, which could not but make him unhappy. Alice was
engaged to be his wife, and had as yet said nothing to show that she all his incivility to herself as though it were the effect of his
grief. She asked him questions about Parliament, which, of course, he
didn't answer, and told him little stories about poor dear Greenow,
Who is Alice engaged to? Who had Alice previously been engaged to? How were Alice and George related? Why did Alice break off her engagement with George? Where do Alice and Kate plan to tour? How are Alice and Kate related? How are Kate and George related? What kind of tour does Plantegenent take Glencora on? Who does Mrs. Greenow marry? Who is Alice engaged to that is called unambitious and bland? Who pays the money George takes from Alice to fund his political ambitions? What happens when George loses his second election and realizes that John was the one who gave the money? Why does Mrs. Greenow marry Captain Bellfield? Why does Glencora want to divorce Plantagenet? Why is Alice afraid to love John? What was the sex of the child that Glencora and Plantagenet have? Why is Alice unhappy with her wedding? Who is Glencora in love with? Who is George's sister? How many fiancĂŠ's has Alice had now? Who secretly pays money to George? Where is John when he try's to persue Alice and win her over? What does Plantagenet do for an occupation? Who does Mrs.Greenow end up marrying? Who is Kate in relation to Alice? How old is Alice? What does Plantagenet persuade John to do? How does john running for Parliament make Alice feel?
John Grey John Grey
George John Gray
cousins They are cousins
he went through a wild period a wild period
Switzerland Switzerland 
cousins They are cousins.
siblings They are brother and sister.
a European tour European 
Bellfield Captain bellfeild
John Grey John Grey
John Grey John
George almost kills John and then takes off for America He almost murders john and then escaoes to america
he is more handsome and she can control him. She can control him
She doesn't love him and can't give him children Marry someone else and get children
she feels she doesn't deserve him, since she had already foolishly called off their first engagement His lack of ambition 
a boy A son
It turned into a huge social event and she was subjected to lectures  Turned into a social event
Burgo Burgo Fitzgerald
Kate Kate
Two two
John John
Switzerland  Switzerland
Politician Politician. 
Captain Bellfield  Bellfield
A Cousin She's her cousin.
Twenty four Twenty-four.
Run for Parliament.  Run for Parliament.
Pleased  It makes her feel pleased 