Lady Violet lived in an age when women were uncommon in frontline British politics.

"You was always wild, Lady Violet," Furzegrove said, rather approvingly.

"Brought some with me, Lady Violet," he said.

"The Earl, he looks none too well, Lady Violet."

Lady Violet, quite lovely in a watered silk gown much the shade of her name, looked as if things frequently slipped her mind.

Her misery was alleviated only slightly by the fact that Lady Violet joined them later in the sitting room.

Philip led Cassandra to his mother's sitting room, where they found both Lady Violet and Philip's grandmother.

Then Lady Violet held out her arms to her son, saying, "Oh, Philip!

A member of a highly literary family, Lady Violet was herself a distinguished memoirist and biographer.

Those who knew the couple well believed that Lady Violet made significant contributions to the richness, depth and polish of her husband's work.