There is another letter yet to write." No one had taken much notice of him.

Even in these days when kingship and House of Lords were abolished, the sense of social inequality remained keen.

To this coterie of avowed Republicans, young Richard Lambert--secretary or what-not to Sir Marmaduke, a paid dependent at any rate--was not worth more than a curt nod of the head, a condescending acknowledgment of his existence at best.
But Lady Sue had not even bestowed the nod.

She had not actually taken notice of his presence when he came; the wistful look had vanished as soon as the young man's harsh voice had broken on her ear: she did not look on him now that he went.
She was busy with her game.

Nathless her guardian's secretary was of no more importance in the rich heiress's sight than that mute row of nine-pins at the end of the alley, nor was there, mayhap, in her mind much social distinction between the hollow-eyed lad who set them up stolidly from time to time, and the silent young student who wrote those letters which Sir Marmaduke had not known how to spell..