at his great
country seat for two or three days, and usually dined with him two
or three times during the season in London. Mr Palliser sat for a
borough which was absolutely under the duke's command; but had
accepted his seat under the distinct understanding that he was to
take whatever part in politics might seem good to himself. Under
these well-understood arrangements, the duke and his heir showed to
the world quite a pattern of a happy family. "So different to the
earl and Lord Porlock!" the people of West Barsetshire used to say.
For the estates, both of the duke and of the earl, were situated in
the western division of that county.

Mr Palliser was chiefly known to the world as a rising politician.
We may say that he had everything at his command, in the way of
pleasure, that the world could offer him. He had wealth, position,
power, and the certainty of attaining the highest rank among,
perhaps, the most brilliant nobility of the world. He was courted by
all who could get near enough to court him. It is hardly too much
to say that he might have selected a bride from all that was most
beautiful and best among English women. If he would have bought
race-horses, and have expended thousands on the turf, he would
have gratified his uncle by doing so. He might have been the
master of hounds, or the slaughterer of hecatombs of birds. But
to none of these things would he devote himself. He had chosen to
be a politician, and in that pursuit he laboured with a zeal and
perseverance which would have made his fortune at any profession
or in any trade. He was constant in committee-rooms up to the very
middle of August. He was rarely absent from any debate of importance,
and never from any important division. Though he seldom spoke, he was
always ready to speak if his purpose required it. No man gave him
credit for any great genius--few even considered that he could become
either an orator or a mighty statesman. But the world said that he
was a rising man, and old Nestor of the Cabinet looked on him as one
who would be able, at some far future day, to come among them as a
younger brother. Hitherto he had declined such inferior offices as
had been offered to him, biding his time carefully; and he was as yet
tied hand and neck to no party, though known to be liberal in all
his political tendencies. He was a great reader--not taking up a
book here, and another there, as chance brought books before him,
but working through an