"Look at these letters!" He pulled them out of his pocket as he spoke.

"Here are no less than seven men, all calling themselves my friends, who accepted my invitation, and who write to excuse themselves on the very day of the party.

Do you know why?
They're all afraid of my father--I forgot to tell you he's a Cabinet Minister as well as a Lord.
Cowards and cads.

They have heard he isn't coming and they think to curry favor with the great man by stopping away.

Come along, Isabel! Let's take their names off the luncheon table.