When Phillip Gayerson claimed his dance he found her a little tired, but still dazzled and excited by the brilliance of the occasion.
"Is it not splendid ?" she exclaimed, taking his arm.

"It is my first ball.

I am sure I shall never be too old to dance, as mother says she is.

Is it not absurd to say such a thing ?" Gayerson laughed, and as was his wont--a habit, indeed, with many shy men--came straight to the point.
"Do you know Dick Howard, then ?" he asked.
"Yes, a little.

Has he arrived?
This is his dance, you know." "I cannot tell you if he has arrived, Mademoiselle," answered the Englishman, in his halting French.