Francis recognised them with some surprise--an agricultural Duke and his daughter, Lady Cynthia Milton, one of the most, beautiful and famous young women in London.
"Your father goes far afield for his friends," Francis remarked.
"My father has no friends," she replied.

"He has many acquaintances.

I doubt whether he has a single confidant.

I expect Cynthia is trying to persuade him to invite her to his next party at The Walled House." "I should think she would fail, won't she ?" he asked.
"Why should you think that ?" Francis shrugged his shoulders slightly.
"Your father's entertainments have the reputation of being somewhat unique," he remarked.

"You do not, by-the-bye, attend them yourself." "You must remember that I have had very few opportunities so far," she observed.