Samuel's lips quirked slightly as the other man jibbed that personal matters would not be allowed to influence Ministry affairs - Poker had never been Samuels game. It seemed ridiculous to him that anyone, least of all a Crouch would attempt to subtly lecture him on personal affairs bleeding into public life. The man opposite him's personal matters had directly affected Samuels life, his reputation, his ability to function in his role now that he was a man who had been 'left at the alter' - the gossip mags had already got their teeth into the story.

Had they been at the club, or at some social affair he might have made a greater show of his indignation and what he saw as the other man's hypocrisy but they weren't, and he didn't. Instead he signed the document with a flourish, and pushed it back towards the other.

'I've learned a great deal about how the British are inclined to do things in such a short time Mister Crouch.' he mused, standing, his aid scrambling to pull out his chair and gather up the spare papers. 'I've had quite enough learning for some time I should think'. He glanced at his aid, who briskly opened the door. 'Have a good day Mister Crouch' he finished.

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