She took a keen interest in politics, in progress of all kinds.

She was a staunch Conservative, and looked upon every Liberal politician as her personal enemy; but she took care to keep herself informed of everything that was being said or done in the enemy's camp.

She had an intense respect for Lord Bacon's maxim: Knowledge is power.

It was a kind of power secondary to the power of wealth, perhaps; but wealth unprotected by wisdom would soon dwindle into poverty.
Lady Lesbia sauntered about the lawn, looking very elegant in her cream-coloured Indian silk gown, very listless, very tired of her lovely surroundings.

Neither lake nor mountain possessed any charm for her.