It was plain that had his lips been thinner and his chin larger he would not have been the secretary of Lord Loudwater--or of any one else.

He would have been a masterless man.
The success of two one-act plays on the stage of the music-halls had given him the firm hope of one day becoming a masterless man as a successful dramatist.

His post gave him the leisure to write plays.

But for the fact that it brought him into such frequent contact with the Lord Loudwater it would have been a really pleasant post: the food was excellent; the wine was good; the library was passable; and the servants, with the exception of James Hutchings, liked and respected him.

He had the art of making himself valued (at far more than his real worth, said his enemies), and his air of importance continuously impressed them.
With a patient air he began to discuss the morning's letters, and ask for instructions.