Half apologetically she added that it was likely to be her last, for, frankly, she was bored to death.

But she explained that she had to go to these affairs, as she found them useful in gathering material for literary use.

She studied types and eccentric characters, and this seemed to her a capital hunting ground.

Jefferson, who, as a rule, was timid with girls and avoided them, found this girl quite unlike the others he had known.

Her quiet, forceful demeanour appealed to him strongly, and he lingered with her, chatting about his work, which had so many interests in common with her own, until refreshments were served, when the affair broke up.