It was a catholic assembly, but exclusive--very.

Each man bore the stamp of competence on his face, and there was no cheap talk of the "well-informed" variety.
When the members spoke seriously they spoke like experts; otherwise they were apt to joke very much like schoolboys let loose.

The Right Hon.
Mr.M---- was not above twitting Lord S---- with gunroom stories, and suffering in turn good-natured libel.
Of the two men lighting their pipes in the little room one was to the first glance a remarkable figure.

About the middle height, with a square head and magnificent shoulders, he looked from the back not unlike some professional strong man.

But his face betrayed him, for it was clearly the face of the intellectual worker, the man of character and mind.