“We are not at home!” yelled Mrs. Loontwill after Floote. “To anyone!” “You are at home to me, madam,” said a very autocratic voice. The Queen of England swept into the room: a petite woman, in late middle life but wearing it very well. Floote trailed in after and said, in tones of shock Alexia had never thought to hear from her unflappable butler, “Her Most Royal Highness, Queen Victoria, to see Miss Tarabotti.” Mrs. Loontwill fainted. Alexia thought it the best, most sensible thing her mama had done in a very long while.
