An overpowering brilliancy flashed from her eyes; there was an hysterical defiance in her manner.

"Are you excited?
are you angry?
are you trying to startle me by acting a part ?" I urged those questions on her, one after another; and I was loudly and confidently answered.
"I dare say I am excited, Mr.Gerard, by the honor that has been done me.
You are going to keep your engagement, of course?
Well, your friend, your favorite friend, has invited me to meet you.

No! that's not quite true.

I invited myself--the deaf gentleman submitted." "Why did you invite yourself ?" "Because a tea-party is not complete without a woman." Her manner was as strangely altered as her looks.

That she was beside herself for the moment, I clearly saw.