Besides, how could that be retiring into private life?
Sir Magnus, as ambassador, has his house always full of company." "My dear, he is not ambassador.

He is minister plenipotentiary.

It is not quite the same thing.

And then he is our nearest relative,--our nearest, at least, since my own brother has made this great separation, of course.

We cannot go to him to be out of the way of himself." "Why do you want to go anywhere, mamma?
Why not stay at home ?" But Florence pleaded in vain as her mother had already made up her mind.
Before that day was over she succeeded in making her daughter understand that she was to be taken to Brussels as soon as an answer could be received from Sir Magnus and the necessary additions were made to their joint wardrobe.
Sir Magnus Mountjoy, the late general's elder brother, had been for the last four or five years the English minister at Brussels.