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Washington was still recovering from a visitation by Britain's Virginia-born Lady Astor, 78, whose breezy wit once again ventilated salon, corridor and cloakroom. Reported syndicated Capital Gossipist Betty Beale: "At one gay party [she] came face to face with her old friend Adlai Stevenson, and startled everyone by proposing marriage. 'You need me,' she teased. 'I'm a rich widow.' Retorted Adlai, I want someone more mature.' "