"Only, sir, in an unostentatious way," deprecated the man. "It has been my good fortune to serve in families where such niceties have been highly regarded, sir, and, I take it, advantageous associations reflect themselves in one's tastes, sir. But—" he dropped his voice, and came a step nearer—"but, sir, if you will pardon me, sir, I should like to ask a question. You know, of course, that the master's sister arrived last night from Europe?"
Bristoll nodded. He himself had not yet had the privilege of seeing the young woman, the fame of whose loveliness had preceded her: a loveliness which had enthralled men from the Irish Sea to Suez.
"Of course, sir, it's not for me to entertain opinions, but—" The butler paused in evident embarrassment, and the secretary's eyes narrowed a little.
"You are quite right, Harrow," he asserted shortly. "I can't see that you are required to express any opinion."
"Of course, sir, I was only going to say—"
"Well—don't say it."
But, for all his obsequiousness, the admirable Harrow was a persistent diplomat.
"No, sir, of course I sha'n't. I was only going to ask you—"
The secretary looked up with an impatient frown on a forehead shaped for resolution.
"All right. Ask me and have it over."