I saw fair ladies in plenty, and more than once my heart leaped, only to discover its mistake.

There were so many ladies of the Blended Rose on the floor as to be confusing, and with their similarity of dress, and powdered hair, I was never sure until they turned their faces toward me that my patient search was still unrewarded.

Yet if she was indeed upon the floor I saw her not, and my heart grew heavy with delay.

But in this survey I discovered others--of both sexes--whose names had been mentioned that afternoon, and recognized the faces of a few officers whom I had met during my wanderings.

Surely some of these would present me to the lady of my dreams could I but see her, learn her name.