I did not understand that; I imagined you were here on leave until I heard about Neergard & Co." "Do you suppose I could have remained in the service ?" he demanded.

His voice was dry and almost accentless.
"Why not ?" she returned, paling.
"You may answer that question more pleasantly than I can." She usually avoided champagne; but she had to do something for herself now.

As for him, he took what was offered without noticing what he took, and grew whiter and whiter; but a fixed glow gradually appeared and remained on her cheeks; courage, impatience, a sudden anger at the forced conditions steadied her nerves.
"Will you please prove equal to the situation ?" she said under her breath, but with a charming smile.

"Do you know you are scowling?
These people here are ready to laugh; and I'd much prefer that they tear us to rags on suspicion of our over-friendliness." "Who is that fool woman who is monopolising your partner ?" "Rosamund Fane; she's doing it on purpose.

You must try to smile now and then." "My face is stiff with grinning," he said, "but I'll do what I can for you--" "Please include yourself, too." "Oh, I can stand their opinions," he said; "I only meet the yellow sort occasionally; I don't herd with them." "I do, thank you." "How do you like them?
What is your opinion of the yellow set?
Here they sit all about you--the Phoenix Mottlys, Mrs.Delmour-Carnes yonder, the Draymores, the Orchils, the Vendenning lady, the Lawns of Westlawn--" he paused, then deliberately--"and the 'Jack' Ruthvens.