It was a pity, he thought, that a man's social and private life should be made subject to so many remarks, but this misfortune was one of those to which wealth and rank are liable.

He had long recognised that fact, and for a time endeavoured to believe that his intended sojourn at Gatherum Castle was not more public than are the autumn doings of other dukes and other prime ministers.

But gradually the trumpets did reach even his ears.

Blind as he was to many things himself, he always had near to him that other duke who was never blind to anything.

"You are going to do great things at Gatherum this year," said the Duke.
"Nothing particular, I hope," said the Prime Minister, with an inward trepidation,--for gradually there had crept upon him a fear that his wife was making a mistake.
"I thought it was going to be very particular." "It's Glencora's doing." "I don't doubt but that her Grace is right.