Schubert never meant that 'Rosamund' should interfere with anybody's business." "And--when did you first encounter the malice in 'Rosamund,' Captain Selwyn ?" she asked with perfect self-possession.
He did not answer immediately; his smile had died out.

Then: "The first time I really understood 'Rosamund' was when I heard Rosamund during a very delightful dinner." She said: "If a woman keeps at a man long enough she'll extract compliments or yawns." And looking up at a chinless young man who had halted near her: "George, Captain Selwyn has acquired such a charmingly Oriental fluency during his residence in the East that I thought--if you ever desired to travel again--" She shrugged, and, glancing at Selwyn: "Have you met my husband?
Oh, of course." They exchanged a commonplace or two, then other people separated them without resistance on their part.

And Selwyn found himself drifting, mildly interested in the vapid exchange of civilities which cost nobody a mental effort.
His sister, he had once thought, was certainly the most delightfully youthful matron in New York.

But now he made an exception of Mrs.Fane; Rosamund Fane was much younger--must have been younger, for she still had something of that volatile freshness--that vague atmosphere of immaturity clinging to her like a perfume almost too delicate to detect.
And under that the most profound capacity for mischief he had ever known of.

Sauntering amiably amid the glittering groups continually forming and disintegrating under the clustered lights, he finally succeeded in reaching his hostess.
And Mrs.T.West Minster disengaged herself from the throng with intention as he approached.
No--and he was so sorry; and it was very amiable of his hostess to want him, but he was not remaining for the dance.
So much for the hostess, who stood there massive and gem-laden, her kindly and painted features tinted now with genuine emotion.
"_Je m'accuse, mon fils_!--but you acted like a perfect dear," she said.
"_Mea culpa, mea culpa_; and _can_ you forgive a very much mortified old lady who is really and truly fond of you ?" He laughed, holding her fat, ringed hands in both of his with all the attractive deference that explained his popularity.