CHAPTER XXVI
The Duke's Will
On the ninth day after Madame Goesler's arrival the Duke died, and
Lady Glencora Palliser became Duchess of Omnium. But the change
probably was much greater to Mr. Palliser than to his wife. It would
seem to be impossible to imagine a greater change than had come upon
him. As to rank, he was raised from that of a simple commoner to the
very top of the tree. He was made master of almost unlimited wealth,
Garters, and lord-lieutenancies; and all the added grandeurs which
come from high influence when joined to high rank were sure to be
his. But he was no more moved by these things than would have been a
god, or a block of wood. His uncle was dead; but his uncle had been
an old man, and his grief on that score was moderate. As soon as his
uncle's body had been laid in the family vault at Gatherum, men would
call him Duke of Omnium; and then he could never sit again in the
House of Commons. It was in that light, and in that light only, that
he regarded the matter. To his uncle it had been everything to be
Duke of Omnium.
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