"
"Well, I am disappointed. I supposed from the expression of your eyes
that you were going to say something complimentary."
"My dear Lady Sarah, do compliments grow on street corners in the
metropolis that the expectation of them comes so easily?"
"No, indeed--nor in drawing-rooms either, apparently. It is a novelty
to meet a man who persists in making his conversation impersonal; but
it is really cold-hearted of you to think of remaining so long away
from us."
"How can you say so! Absence, you know, makes the heart grow fonder."
"Does it?" The lady made a feint of moving away. "Now if it were only
possible for me to absent myself," she said, laughingly.
"Impossible! That is for me to do." And the gentleman withdrew with
flattering haste.
In his place appeared a blonde young man, with deep sea-blue eyes and
a bright buoyant expression, on whose arm his hostess laid a soft
detaining hand. "Were you on the point of asking me to walk about a
little?" she inquired. "I am going to accept with alacrity."
The young fellow, who would scarcely have made the suggestion in the
face and eyes of several among the most distinguished of his fellow
citizens immediately surrounding her, was not slow to respond, though
he assumed an expression of alarm.
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