But she performed her task without flinching, killing remorselessly each nascent conversation in the bud, giving artist, author, or member of Parliament his proper little sentence of introduction, and at last beckoning to Eustace Kendal, who left his corner feeling society to be a foolish business, and wishing the ordeal were over.
Miss Bretherton smiled at him as she had smiled at all the others, and he sat down for his three minutes on the chair beside her.
'I hear you are satisfied with your English audiences, Miss Bretherton,' he began at once, having prepared himself so far.

'To-night I am to have the pleasure for the first time of making one of your admirers.' 'I hope it will please you,' she said, with a shyness that was still bright and friendly.

'You will be sure to come and see me afterwards?
I have been arranging it with Mrs.Stuart.I am never fit to talk to afterwards, I get so tired.

But it does one good to see one's friends; it makes one forget the theatre a little before going home.' 'Do you find London very exciting ?' 'Yes, very.

People have been so extraordinarily kind to me, and it is all such a new experience after that little place Kingston.