With a splendor of indifference not often seen even in the manner of our grandest ladies, she waited, opening and shutting her richly feathered fan, as one who would say, "I know all this has to be gone through with, therefore I will be patient." But as the moments passed, and his tone remained unchanged, I could detect a slight gleam of impatience flash in the depths of her dark eyes, and a change come into the conventional smile that had hitherto lighted, without illuminating her countenance.

Drawing still further back from the crowd that was not to be awed from pressing upon her, she looked around as if seeking a refuge.

Her glance fell upon a certain window, with a gleam of satisfaction.

Seeing they would straightway withdraw there, I took advantage of the moment and made haste to conceal myself behind a curtain as near that vicinity as possible.

In another instant I heard them approaching.
"You seem to be rather overwhelmed with attention to-night," were the first words I caught, uttered in Mr.Blake's calmest and most courteous tones.
"Do you think so ?" was the slightly sarcastic reply.