I--" she looked at Valerie, curiously--"I have heard from others how charming and clever you are--from Mr.Ogilvy ?--and Mr.Annan ?" "They are my friends," said Valerie briefly.
"And Mr.Querida, and Mr.Burleson, and--Mr.Neville." "They are my friends," repeated Valerie....

After a second she added: "They also employ me." Stephanie looked away: "Your profession must be most interesting, Miss West." "Yes." "But--exacting." "Very." Neither made any further effort.

A moment later, however, Helene d'Enver came in.

She knew some of the women very slightly, none intimately; and, catching sight of Valerie, she came across the room with a quick smile of recognition: "I'm dreadfully late, dear--how do you do, Miss Swift"-- to Stephanie, who had risen.

And to Valerie: "Mr.Ogilvy came; just as I had my furs on--and you know how casually a man takes his leave when you're in a tearing hurry!" She laughed and took Valerie's gloved hands in her own; and Stephanie, who had been looking at the latter, came to an abrupt conclusion that amazed her; and she heard herself saying: "It has been most interesting to meet you, Miss West.