Unless you tell me that you are quite sure this is as unexpected by me as by you, I will never speak to you again." "I am quite sure of that." "Ah! then we can consult.

But first we'll go and have some breakfast." Then more ladies swarmed into the room,--the Duchess and her daughter, and the two Miss Pallisers, and others; and Mr Bott had his hands full in attending,--or rather in offering to attend, to their little wants.
The morning was nearly gone before Alice and her cousin had any further opportunity of discussing in private the approach of Lady Midlothian; but Mr Palliser had come in among them, and had been told of the good thing which was in store for him.

"We shall be delighted to see Lady Midlothian," said Mr Palliser.
"But there is somebody here who will not be at all delighted to see her," said Lady Glencora to her husband.
"Is there, indeed ?" said he.

"Who is that ?" "Her most undutiful cousin, Alice Vavasor.

But, Alice, Mr Palliser knows nothing about it, and it is too long to explain." "I am extremely sorry--" began Mr Palliser.
"I can assure you it does not signify in the least," said Alice.