These people must not suppose that I have to cling to a party.

Let them take sides; I am on fair terms with both the rivals.

I show just such a nuance of a distinction in my treatment of them just such--enough, I mean, to make the flattered one warm to me, and t' other be jealous of her.

Ay, Richie, these things are trivial things beyond the grave; but here are we, my boy; and, by the way, I suspect the great campaign of my life is opening.' Captain DeWitt said that if so it would be the tenth, to his certain knowledge.
'Not great campaign!' my father insisted: 'mere skirmishes before this.' They conversed in humorous undertones, each in turn seeming to turn over the earth of some amusing reminiscence, so rapt, that as far as regarded their perception of it, the assembly might have been nowhere.

Perhaps, consequently, they became observed with all but undivided attention.
My father's hand was on my shoulder, his head toward Captain DeWitt; instead of subduing his voice, he gave it a moderate pitch, at which it was not intrusive, and was musical, to my ear charming, especially when he continued talking through his soft laughter, like a hunter that would in good humour press for his game through links of water-nymphs.
Lady Denewdney's fan took to beating time meditatively.