He also began to write, in picturesque advocacy of his views, for serious weekly and monthly publications.

Then Christmas came and he found himself at Drane's Court, somewhat gasping for breath.

A large houseparty, however, including Lord Francis Ayres, the chief Opposition Whip, threatened to keep him busy.
The Princess drove over from Chetwood Park for dinner on Christmas Day.
He had to worship from afar; for a long spell of the evening to worship with horrible jealousy.

Lord Francis Ayres, a bachelor and a man of winning charm, as men must be whose function it is to keep Members of Parliament good and pleased with themselves and sheeplike, held the Princess captive, in a remote corner, with his honeyed tongue.

She looked at him seductively out of her great, slumberous blue eyes, even as she had looked, on occasion, at him, Paul.