Not your average Tom, Dick and Harry.

The rejection of foreign adventurism derived partly from an awareness of the dynastic vulnerability of the Bourbon line, partly from the country's economic as well as its military fragility – and partly too from the increasingly evident limitations of France's traditional international allies.

I had hoped our first meeting would turn out better.

You two! said Lady Margaret. What will William Belet think? […] Finally Edith broke the silence. He thinks we're fopdoodles! she said. And they all laughed.