"It is a pleasant thing," I thought, "that a woman's mind may come and go by the gate Beautiful." I went down before Alice, who stayed with the children till she heard the first ring at the door.
"Where is Charles ?" I asked, after we had greeted the Bancrofts.
"He will come in time to play, for he likes whist; do you?
"No." We did not speak again, but I noticed how gay and agreeable she was through the evening.
Ben Somers came early, suffering from a fit of nonchalance, to the disgust of several young men, standard beaux, who regarded him with an impertinence which delighted him.
"Here comes," he said, "'a daughter of the gods, divinely tall, and most divinely fair.'" Meaning me, which deepened their disgust.
"Come to the piano," I begged.

Helen was there, but his eyes did not rest upon her, but upon Charles, whom I saw for the first time that evening.

I introduced them.
"Cassandra," said Charles, "let us make up a game in the East Room.
Miss Helen, will you join?
Mr.Somers, will you take a hand ?" "Certainly.

Miss Morgeson, will you be my partner ?" "Will you play with me then, Miss Helen ?" asked Charles.
"If you desire it," she answered, rather ungraciously.
We took our seats in the East Room, which opened from the parlor, at a little table by the chimney.

The astral lamp from the center table in the parlor shone into our room, intercepting any view toward us.