"With tea was announced also the advent of Georgie Pillson, who was her gentleman-in-waiting, her A.D.C., her devoted subordinate. In order to save subsequent disappointment, it may be at once stated that there never had been, was, or ever would be, the smallest approach to a flirtation between them. Neither of them, she with her forty respectable years, and he with his blameless forty-five years, had ever flirted with anybody at all. But it was one of the polite and pleasant fictions of Riseholme that Georgie was passionately attached to her, and that it was for her sake that he had settled in Riseholme now some seven years ago, and that for her sake he remained still unmarried. She never, to do her justice, had affirmed anything of the sort, but it is a fact that sometimes when Georgie's name came up in conversation, her eyes wore that 'far-away' look that only the masterpieces of Art could otherwise call up, and she would sigh and murmur, 'Dear Georgie!' and change the subject, with the tact that characterized her. In fact, their mutual relations were among the most Beautiful things of Riseholme, and hardly less beautiful was Peppino's attitude towards it all. That large-hearted man trusted them both, and his trust was not misplaced. Georgie was in and out of the house all day, chiefly in; and not only did scandal never rear its hissing head, but it had positively not a head to hiss with or a foot to stand on. On his side again, Georgie had never said that he was in love with her (nor would it have been true if he had), but by his complete silence on the subject, coupled with his constancy, he seemed to admit the truth of this bloodless idyll. They talked and walked and read the masterpieces of literature and played duets on the piano together. Sometimes (for he was the more brilliant performer, though, as he said 'terribly lazy about practising,' for which she scolded him) he would gently slap the back of her hand if she played a wrong note, and say, 'Naughty!' And she would reply in baby language, 'Me vewy sowwy! 'Oo naughty, too, to hurt Lucia!' That was the utmost extent of their carnal familiarities, and with bright eyes fixed on the music, they would break into peals of girlish laughter, until the beauty of the music sobered them again."
- Queen Lucia, E. F Benson
