Miss Daphne had quite enough bees in her own bonnet without adopting Mrs.Verrier's.
Meanwhile, it was the General who, on the return journey, was made to serve Miss Boyson's gift for monopoly.

She took possession of him in a business-like way, inquiring into his engagements in Washington, his particular friends, his opinion of the place and the people, with a light-handed acuteness which was more than a match for the Englishman's instincts of defence.

The General did not mean to give himself away; he intended, indeed, precisely the contrary; but, after every round of conversation Miss Boyson felt herself more and more richly provided with materials for satire at the expense of England and the English tourist, his invincible conceit, insularity, and condescension.

She was a clever though tiresome woman; and expressed herself best in letters.

She promised herself to write a "character" of General Hobson in her next letter to an intimate friend, which should be a masterpiece.