He lived with his mother, Lady Lucy Marsham, the owner of Tallyn Hall; and his widowed sister, Mrs.Fotheringham, was also a constant inmate of the house.
Mrs.Fotheringham was if possible more extreme in opinions than her brother, frequented platforms, had quarrelled with all her Conservative relations, including a family of stepsons, and supported Women's Suffrage.

It was evident that Diana was steeling herself to some endurance in this quarter.

As to the other guests whom they might expect, Diana knew little.

She had heard that Mr.Ferrier was to be there--ex-Home Secretary, and now leader of the Opposition--and old Lady Niton.

Diana retailed what gossip she knew of this rather famous personage, whom three-fourths of the world found insolent and the rest witty.