'While we're talking,' Richardson said, 'is there anything new on the Queen's visit?'

'No, but I talked to Shel Griffiths a few minutes ago. Hell see what he can do in London.'

'I hope it works.' The party director sounded doubtful. 'The old boy's always so damn correct. Did you tell him to give the lady a real hard push?'

'Not quite in those words.' Howden smiled. 'But that was the gist of my suggestion.'

A chuckle down the line. 'As long as she comes, anyway. It could help us a lot next year, what with all the other things.'

About to hang up, a thought occurred to Howden. 'Brian.'

'Yes.'

'Try to drop in over the holiday.'

'Thanks. I will.'

'How about your wife?'

Richardson answered cheerfully, 'I guess you'll have to settle for me solo.'

'I don't mean to pry.' James Howden hesitated, aware that Milly was hearing half the conversation. 'Are things no better?'

'Eloise and I live in a state of armed neutrality,' Richardson answered matter-of-factly. 'But it has advantages.'

Howden could guess the kind of advantages Richardson meant, and once more he had an irrational jealousy at the thought of the party director and Milly alone together. Aloud, he said, 'I'm sorry.'

'It's surprising what you can get used to,' Richardson said. 'At least Eloise and I know where we stand, and that's separately. Anything else, chief?'

'No,' Howden said, 'nothing else. I'll go and talk to Arthur now.'

He returned from the library to the Long Drawing Room, the hum of conversation moving out to meet him. The atmosphere was freer now; drinks and supper, which was almost over, had contributed to an air of relaxation. He avoided several groups whose members looked up expectantly as he passed, smiling and moving on.

Arthur Lexington was standing on the fringe of a laughing cluster of people watching the Finance Minister, Stuart Cawston, do minor conjuring tricks – a pastime with which, once in a while, he relieved the tedium during breaks in cabinet meetings. 'Watch this dollar,' Cawston was saying. 'I shall now make it disappear.'