"Are not a few minutes' grace granted to a man of peace, when he comes to eat your salt ?--And how are you, my dear lady?
How are you ?" "Never was better in my life, Willy!" shrilled Lady Ogram, her voice slipping out of control in her excitement.

"Do you know who this is ?" "I could make a guess.

The face speaks for itself." "Ha! You see the likeness!--May, shake hands with Sir William, and make friends with him; he and I knew each other a lifetime before you were born .-- And this is Mr.Lashmar, our future Member for Hollingford." "If the voters are as kind to me as Lady Ogram," said Dyce, laughing.
The baronet gave his hand, and regarded the young man with shrewd observation.

Sir William had no part in public life, and was not predisposed in favour of parliamentary ambitions; he lived quietly in a London suburb, knowing only a few congenial people, occupying himself with the history of art, on which he was something of an authority.

His father had been a friend of Sir Quentin Ogram; and thus arose his early familiarity with the lady of Rivenoak.
They went to table in an adjoining room, and for a few minutes there was talk between the hostess and Sir William about common acquaintances.