He went forth, therefore, on his embassy, and we know how he
failed. Another lover would have communicated the disastrous tidings
at once to the lady; but Gerard Maule waited a week before he did so,
and then told his story in half-a-dozen words. "The governor cut up
rough about Maule Abbey, and will not hear of it. He generally does
cut up rough."
"But he must be made to hear of it," said Lady Chiltern. Two days
afterwards the news reached Harrington of the death of the Duke of
Omnium. A letter of an official nature reached Adelaide from Mr.
Fothergill, in which the writer explained that he had been desired by
Mr. Palliser to communicate to her and the relatives the sad tidings.
"So the poor old man has gone at last," said Lady Chiltern, with that
affectation of funereal gravity which is common to all of us.
"Poor old Duke!" said Adelaide. "I have been hearing of him as a sort
of bugbear all my life. I don't think I ever saw him but once, and
then he gave me a kiss and a pair of earrings. He never paid any
attention to us at all, but we were taught to think that Providence
had been very good to us in making the Duke our uncle.
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