“I’m not going to do it,” said Lord Caterham hastily. “I don’t get on with Canadians, never did⁠—especially those that have lived much in Africa!”

“You’d probably find him a splendid fellow⁠—a rough diamond, you know.”

“No, Lomax. I put my foot down there absolutely. Somebody else has got to tackle him.”

“It has occurred to me,” said Lomax, “that a woman might be very useful here. Told enough and not too much, you understand. A woman could handle the whole thing delicately and with tact⁠—put the position before him, as it were, without getting his back up. Not that I approve of women in politics⁠— St. Stephen’s is ruined, absolutely ruined, nowadays. But woman in her own sphere can do wonders. Look at Henry’s wife and what she did for him. Marcia was magnificent, unique, a perfect political hostess.”