The two kings that I have known have had in a high degree both physical and moral courage and have shown a sense of duty unparalleled in the Courts of Europe; it is this that has given them their stability; and added to this their simplicity of nature has won for them our lasting love.

They have been exceptionally fortunate in their private secretaries:  Lord Knollys and Lord Stamfordham are liberal-minded men of the highest honour and discretion; and I am proud to call them my friends.

Before I knew the Prince and Princess of Wales, I did not go to fashionable balls, but after that Ascot I was asked everywhere.  I was quite unconscious of it at the time, but was told afterwards that people were beginning to criticise me; one or two incidents might have enlightened me had I been more aware of myself.

One night, when I was dining tete-a-tete with my beloved friend, Godfrey Webb, in his flat in Victoria Street, my father sent the brougham for me with a message to ask if I would accompany him to supper at Lord and Lady Randolph Churchill’s, where we had been invited to meet the Prince of Wales.  I said I should be delighted if I could keep on the dress that I was wearing, but as it was late and I had to get up early next day I did not want to change my clothes; he said he supposed my dress would be quite smart enough, so we drove to the Randolph Churchills’ house together.

I had often wanted to know Lord Randolph, but it was only a few days before the supper that I had had the good fortune to sit next to him at dinner.  When he observed that he had been put next to a “miss,” he placed his left elbow firmly on the table and turned his back upon me through several courses.  I could not but admire the way he appeared to eat everything with one hand.  I do not know whether it was the lady on his right or what it was that prompted him, but he ultimately turned round and asked me if I knew any politicians.  I told him that, with the exception of himself, I knew them all intimately.  This surprised him, and after discussing Lord Rosebery—­to whom he was devoted—­he said: 

“Do you know Lord Salisbury?”

I told him that I had forgotten his name in my list, but that I would like above everything to meet him; at which he remarked that I was welcome to all his share of him, adding: 

“What do you want to know him for?”

Margot:  “Because I think he is amazingly amusing and a very fine writer.”

Lord Randolph (muttering something I could not catch about Salisbury lying dead at his feet):  “I wish to God that I had never known him!”

Margot:  “I am afraid you resigned more out of temper than conviction, Lord Randolph.”  At this he turned completely round and, gazing at me, said: 

“Confound your cheek!  What do you know about me and my convictions?  I hate Salisbury!  He jumped at my resignation like a dog at a bone.  The Tories are ungrateful, short-sighted beasts.  I hope you are a Liberal?”