There I rang up Lord Frederic Maynard, my first cousin, and a junior member of the government.

The butler told me that Lord Frederic was dining, but would doubtless speak to me for a moment.

In a minute or two I heard his familiar voice.
"Freddy," I said, "I want to meet the Chinese ambassador." "Eleven till one to-night here," he answered.

"What the devil do you want with him ?" "Do you mean that he is coming to your house to-night ?" I asked.
"Exactly," Freddy answered.

"We've a political reception, semi-diplomatic.