"I shall think you the most fickle of your sex." "And if I were to accept it?" "I would swear that you were the best, the dearest, and the sweetest of women." "I would rather have your good opinion than your bad, certainly," said Lady Alexandrina. And then it was understood by both of them that that affair was settled. Whenever she was called on in future to speak of Lily, she always called her, "that poor Miss Dale;" but she never again spoke a word of reproach to her future lord about that little adventure. "I shall tell mamma, to-night," she said to him, as she bade him good-night in some sequestered nook to which they had betaken themselves. Lady Julia's eye was again on them as they came out from the sequestered nook, but Alexandrina no longer cared for Lady Julia. "George, I cannot quite understand about that Mr. Palliser. Isn't he to be a duke, and oughtn't he to be a lord now?" This question was asked by Mrs. George De Courcy of her husband, when they found themselves together in the seclusion of the nuptial chamber. "Yes; he'll be Duke of Omnium when the old fellow dies. I think he's one of the slowest fellows I ever came across. He'll take deuced good care of the property, though." "But, George, do explain it to me. It is so stupid not to understand, and I am afraid of opening my mouth for fear of blundering." "Then keep your mouth shut, my dear. You'll learn all those sort of things in time, and nobody notices it if you don't say anything." "Yes, but, George;--I don't like to sit silent all the night. I'd sooner be up here with a novel if I can't speak about anything." "Look at Lady Dumbello. She doesn't want to be always talking." "Lady Dumbello is very different from me. But do tell me, who is Mr. Palliser?" "He's the duke's nephew. If he were the duke's son, he would be the Marquis of Silverbridge." "And will he be plain Mister till his uncle dies?" "Yes, a very plain Mister." "What a pity for him. But, George,--if I have a baby, and if he should be a boy, and if--" "Oh, nonsense; it will be time enough to talk of that when he comes. I'm going to sleep." CHAPTER XXIV. A MOTHER-IN-LAW AND A FATHER-IN-LAW. On the following morning Mr. Plantagenet Palliser was off upon his political mission before breakfast;--either that, or else some private comfort was afforded to him in guise of solitary rolls and coffee. The public breakfast at Courcy Castle was going on at eleven o'clock, and at that hour Mr. Palliser was already closeted with the Mayor of Silverbridge. "I must get off by the 3.45 train," said Mr. Palliser. "Who is there to speak after me?" "Well, I shall say a few words; and Growdy,--he'll expect them to listen to him. Growdy has always stood very firm by his grace, Mr. Palliser."