The ends of the severe mouth rose perceptibly, and in any other face they might have broken into a smile.
Daughter of the Governor, isn't she? Yes, but that isn't her chief characteristic, Sir. What is? That she is the loveliest and noblest woman in the world.
"Oh!"
Again the severe mouth relaxed, and the Home Secretary asked Stowell where he was staying. Stowell told him (the Inns of Court Hotel, Holborn) and he made a note of it.
"Remain there until you hear from me again, Mr. Stowell, and meantime say nothing about this interview to anybody."
"Not anybody whatever, Sir?"
The Home Secretary's stern old face became genial and charming as he rose and held out his hand.
"Well, that supreme being, perhaps .... Good day!"
"So here I am, my dear Fenella," wrote Stowell, "back in the bedroom of my hotel, telling you all about it. How long I may have to remain in London, goodness knows, therefore I propose to tell you something about my ways of life while I wait.
"Such a change in me! When I was in London last (with Alick Gell, you remember) I spent my days and nights in the hotels, restaurants, theatres and music-halls that are the lovely and beloved world of woman. It is the world of woman still, but quite another realm of it.