He himself had never been deeply interested in American politics, though very familiar with the lives of English statesmen.

He was a great reader of memoirs and of the novels of Disraeli and Trollope.

Of late he had taken to motoring.
He kissed his daughter and nodded--a real New York nod--to his son-in-law.
"I've come to tell you, Adelaide," he began.
"Such a thing!" murmured Mathilde, shaking her golden head above the cup of tea she was making for him, making in just the way he liked; for she was a little person who remembered people's tastes.
"I thought you'd rather hear it than read it in the papers." "Goodness, Papa, you talk as if you had been getting married!" "No." Mr.Lanley hesitated, and looked up at her brightly.

"No; but I think I did have a proposal the other day." "From Mrs.Baxter ?" asked Adelaide.

This was almost war.