Where have you been keeping yourself ?" Lawler shook the governor's hand, not replying to the effusive greeting.
Lawler smiled, though, and perhaps the governor saw in the smile an answer to his question.

He led Lawler to a chair, and returned to his own, where he sat, leaning back, watching his visitor with a speculative gaze.
Perry Haughton was a big, florid man with sleek, smooth manners, a bland smile and an engaging eye, which held a deep gleam of insincerity.

The governor posed as a genial, generous, broad-minded public official--and it had been upon that reputation that he had been nominated and elected--but the geniality had been adopted for political reasons.

The real man was an arrogant autocrat, lusting for power and wealth.
He disliked Lawler--feared him.

Also, since the convention he had felt vindictive toward Lawler, for Lawler had offended him by his tenacious championship of Falkner.