She did not let me drift away and sit in a corner looking on, as I usually did among strangers.

She kept me near her, and in some subtle, gentle way made me a part of all that was happening--the talk, the charming circle under the spreading boughs of the apple-tree, the charm of everything.
Sometimes she would put out her exquisite, long-fingered hand and touch me very lightly, and each time she did it I felt as if she had given me new life.
There was an interesting elderly man who came among the rest of the guests.

I was interested in him even before she spoke to me of him.

He had a handsome, aquiline face which looked very clever.

His talk was brilliantly witty.