His description of Lady Ogram was amusing, but not disrespectful; he depicted her as an old autocrat of vigorous mind and original character, a woman to be taken quite seriously, and well worth having for a friend, though friendship with her would not be found easy by ordinary people.
"As luck would have it, I began by saying something which might have given her mortal offence." He related the incident of the paper-mill.
"Nothing could have been better.

She must be sickened with toadyism, and I could see she found my way a refreshing contrast.

It made clear to her at once that I met her in a perfectly independent spirit.

If we didn't like each other, good-bye, and no harm done.

But, as it proved, we got on very well indeed.