The ladies retired to the drawing-room, while the gentlemen prepared to sit over their wine.

Being an abstainer, I asked leave to retire with the ladies.

I did this for two reasons besides my principles of abstinence.

First, I thought the custom a foolish one, as well as being harmful; and, second, I hoped by entering the drawing-room early, I might have a chance to speak to Miss Forrest.
I did not leave alone.

Two young Englishmen also declared themselves to be abstainers, and wanted to go with me, while Herod Voltaire likewise asked leave to abide by the rules he had ever followed in the countries in which he had lived.
Of course there was some laughing demur among those who enjoyed their after-dinner wine, but we followed the bent of our inclination, and found our way to the drawing-room.
Evidently the ladies were not sorry to see us, for a look of pleasure and surprise greeted us, and soon the conversation became general.
Presently, however, our attention was by degrees drawn to that part of the room where Herod Voltaire sat, and I heard him speaking fluently and smoothly on some subject he was discussing with a young lady.
"Yes, Miss Emery," he said, "I think European education is poor, is one-sided.