still thoroughly engrossed in the volume held open in his hands. It was

invariably embarrassment at what he was about to impart which made Lord

Darlington adopt such an approach, and even once the study door was closed

behind us, he would often stand by the window and make a show of consulting the

encyclopedia throughout our conversation.

 

What I am now describing, incidentally, is one of many instances I could relate

to you to underline Lord Darlington's essentially shy and modest nature. A great

deal of nonsense has been spoken and written in recent years concerning his

lordship and the prominent role he came to play in great affairs, and some

utterly ignorant reports have had it that he was motivated by egotism. or else

arrogance. Let me say here that nothing could be further from the truth. It was

completely contrary to Lord Darlington's natural tendencies to take such public

stances as he came to do and I can say with conviction that his lordship was

persuaded to overcome his more retiring side only through a deep sense of moral

duty. Whatever may be said about his lordship these days - and the great

majority of it is, as I say, utter nonsense - I can declare that he was a truly

good man at heart, a gentleman through and through, and one I am today proud to

have given my best years of service to.

 

On the particular afternoon to which I am referring, his lordship would still

have been in his mid-fifties; but as I recall, his hair had greyed entirely and

his tall slender figure already bore signs of t}:le stoop that was to become so

pronounced in his last years. He barely glanced up from his volume as he asked: