The thing was a regular performance; the practice of unlimited chatter had made her perfect.

She rested upon her audience and held it together, and the sight of half a dozen pairs of amused and fascinated faces led her from one piece of folly to another.

On this occasion, her audience was far from failing her, for they were all greatly interested.

Captain Lovelock's interest, as we know, was chronic, and our three other friends were much occupied with a matter with which Blanche was intimately connected.

Bernard, as he listened to her, smiling mechanically, was not encouraged.