It was granted rather absently; for the girl's eyes had furtively followed her late companion as he moved away, and she seemed more disposed to reflect than to begin a new conversation.

This passed, however; soon she was talking politics with an air of omniscience which Lashmar could only envy.
"May I take you down to the supper-room ?" he asked presently.
The chaperon and Miss Bride were engaged in conversation with a man who stood behind them.
"Yes, let us go," said May, rising.

"I'm thirsty." She spoke a word to the lady responsible for her, and swept off with Lashmar.
"How delightful it is,".

Dyce exclaimed, "to gather such a lot of interesting people!" "Isn't it!" May responded.

"One feels really alive here.