But she did not like the idea of another woman obtaining an influence over her husband, who, as she now began to recognise, was one of the most brilliant men of his day, and who might well become one of the most wealthy and powerful.
Clearly he existed for _her_ benefit, not for that of any other woman.
She was no fool, and she saw that a considerable intimacy must exist between the two.

Otherwise Geoffrey would not have thought of telegraphing to Beatrice at such a moment.
Within a week of his election Geoffrey made a speech.

It was not a long speech, nor was it upon any very important issue; but it was exceedingly good of its kind, good enough to be reported verbatim indeed, and those listening to it recognised that they had to deal with a new man who would one day be a very big man.

There is no place where an able person finds his level quicker than in the House of Commons, composed as it is for the most part, of more or less wealthy or frantic mediocrities.

But Geoffrey was not a mediocrity, he was an exceedingly able and powerful man, and this fact the House quickly recognised.
For the next few months Geoffrey worked as men rarely work.