Because he is my valet, Romney considered it his duty to feel as I do. His active dislike, though not overt, showed itself with regularity in his reports on her activities, his careful attention to gossip below stairs, and his well-timed sniffs whenever she was mentioned. He made a great show every night of locking the adjoining door between my apartment and the mistress’ suite, as if the woman might creep into my room and slit my throat as I slept.