Bobbie Forbes was a constant frequenter of her house on Campden Hill.

"But he is no toady.
He tells her a number of plain truths--and amuses her guests.

In return she provides him with what she calls 'the best society'-- and pushes his interests in season and out of season.

He is in the Foreign Office, and she is at present manoeuvring to get him attached to the Special Mission which is going out to Constantinople." Diana glanced across the table, and in doing so met the eyes of Mr.
Bobbie Forbes, which laughed into hers--involuntarily--as much as to say--"You see my plight ?--ridiculous, isn't it ?" For Lady Niton was keeping a greedy conversational hold on both Marsham and the young man, pouncing to right or left, as either showed a disposition to escape from it--so that Forbes was violently withheld from Alicia Drake, his rightful lady, and Marsham could engage in no consecutive conversation with Diana.
"No escape for you!" smiled Mr.Frobisher, presently, observing the position.

"Lady Niton always devastates a dinner-party." Diana protested that she was quite content.