He was hot and heavy in his momentary anger, but even that could not conceal the noble though opulent outline of his face and body, the florid white hair, the Roman nose, the body stalwart though corpulent, the chin aristocratic though double.

He was a magnificent courtly gentleman; so much of a gentleman that he could show an unquestionable weakness of anger without altogether losing dignity; so much of a gentleman that even his faux pas were well-bred.
"I am distressed beyond expression, Beaumont," he said gruffly, "to fail in respect to these gentlemen, and even more especially to fail in it in your house.

But it is not you or they that are in any way concerned, but that flashy half-caste jackanapes--" At this moment a young man with a twist of red moustache and a sombre air came out of the inner room.

He also did not seem to be greatly enjoying the intellectual banquet within.
"I think you remember my friend and secretary, Mr Drummond," said Lord Beaumont, turning to Grant, "even if you only remember him as a schoolboy." "Perfectly," said the other.

Mr Drummond shook hands pleasantly and respectfully, but the cloud was still on his brow.