Mr Palliser came up and spoke another word to Alice in a kind voice,--meant to express some sense of connection if not cousinship.

"My wife has been thinking so much of your coming.

I hope we shall be able to amuse you." Alice, who had already begun to feel desolate, was grateful, and made up her mind that she would try to like Mr Palliser.
Jeffrey Palliser was almost the last in the room, but directly he entered Lady Glencora got up from her seat, and met him as he was coming into the crowd.

"You must take my cousin, Alice Vavasor, in to dinner," she said, "and;--will you oblige me to-day ?" "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..