It vexed her to think that she might pass away before the appearance of that new actor on the human stage; his entrance was all but due, she felt assured.

Ah! the world would be much more amusing presently, and she meanwhile was growing old.
Her drawing-rooms on the evening of June 13th were crowded with representatives of Society.

Lashmar arrived about ten o'clock, and his hostess had soon introduced him to two or three persons of political note, with each of whom he exchanged phrases of such appalling banality that he had much ado not to laugh in his interlocutor's face.

The swelling current moved him along; he could only watch countenances and listen to dialogues as foolish as those in which he had taken part; a dizzying babblement filled the air, heavy with confusion of perfumes.
Presently, having circled his way back towards the stair-head, he caught sight of Lord Dymchurch, who had newly entered; their eyes met, but Dymchurch, who wore a very absent look, gave no sign of recognition.

Dyce pressed forward.
"I hoped I might meet you here," he said.
The other started, smiled nervously, and spoke in a confused way.
"I thought it likely.