I roused myself to some observation of what was going on about me.

No ladies had been invited; and the men were all of a certain age.

I looked in vain for the charming niece.

Was she not well enough to appear at the dinner-party?
I ventured on putting the question to Mr.Farnaby.
"You will find her at the tea-table, when we return to the drawing-room.
Girls are out of place at dinner-parties." So he answered me--not very graciously.
As I stepped out on the landing, I looked up; I don't know why, unless I was the unconscious object of magnetic attraction.

Anyhow, I had my reward.