The concert went onto an end without realizing for her the ideal of pleasure which one ought to find in society.

She was not exacting, but it seemed to her there were very few young men, and when the music was over, and their opportunity came to be sociable, they were not very sociable.

They were not introduced, for one thing; but it appeared to Mela that they might have got introduced, if they had any sense; she saw them looking at her, and she was glad she had dressed so much; she was dressed more than any other lady there, and either because she was the most dressed of any person there, or because it had got around who her father was, she felt that she had made an impression on the young men.

In her satisfaction with this, and from her good nature, she was contented to be served with her refreshments after the concert by Mr.March, and to remain joking with him.

She was at her ease; she let her hoarse voice out in her largest laugh; she accused him, to the admiration of those near, of getting her into a perfect gale.