Sir Hilton's Sin - George Manville Fenn

The troubles never even got into the gossip column of the Tilborough County Despatch, in connection with the busy candidature of the popular sporting baronet for the vacant seat, and the retirement of Watcombe, the brewer, who was reported to have been beaten by his opponent “hands down.” For it was considered to be easier to let bygones be bygones, especially as Trimmer, the trustworthy agent of the Lisle estate, was reported to have resigned—the notice might have said disappeared—and in course of time, under the careful guidance of Lady Lisle, Mrs Sydney Smithers did not make such a very unpresentable little lady after all.

It took time, though, for Syd’s pretty wife was in the habit of making slangy slips redolent of the music-hall, as, for instance, when she made Lady Tilborough and the doctor, who both petted her and Syd, laugh till they wiped their eyes, by saying of Lady Lisle—

“Oh, yes, she’s ever so good to me, and I love her down to the ground; but she’s such a caution, don’tcherknow!”