Don't you think Lord Dymchurch might be willing to come?
If I may propose myself--" The roguish smile was lost in a radiant archness.

"Half a dozen of us just to talk over the political situation." Lashmar looked delighted.

In reality he was seized with anxious thought as to whom he could invite for such an important occasion.

As is commonly the case with men of great self-esteem and modest resources, he had made friends with the poorer and less ambitious of his acquaintances, and these were not the sort of people to present either to Mrs.Toplady or to Lord Dymchurch.

However, he knew a man pretty well placed in the Home Office.