Morley Roberts

“ He had now been dead six months, and Lady Hale had had time to sanctify his memory and to recover from the shock.
“Yes, I'll do it, I think,” said Hector. “I suppose I'm better qualified than any one else. But did I really know him?”
Durant had been his secretary for five years in Barbados, and had continued to occupy that post in England, though he had deserted the paths of diplomacy (never leading to much for any one without influence) for letters. In eight years a private secretary of any penetration ought to know his chief's private character almost as well as his public reputation. ”

“ He always said, when he made you one of his executors, that you were the only man he would trust to go through them. He said he always confided everything to you, and I never understood papers or diplomacy in the least.
And now, my dear Hector, I wish to say that any profits from the biography will be yours. There is certain to be a great sale, for he was a great man. And, also, while you are writing it you will, of course, receive what you got as his secretary. ”

“ Lady Hale declares he was the very best of men and practically a saint. I suspect her hagiology. I own I have doubts as to what he was behind the curtain. I should like to do the man as he is, or as he was, but I fear I sha'n't be able to do it; Lady Hale will be an obstacle. ”