She had indeed become aware that something was wrong, but her acuteness entirely refused to believe that it had any vital connection with the advent of pretty Elsie Maddison.

Meanwhile, to please Daphne, whom she liked, while conscious of a strong and frequent desire to smite her, Madame de Fronsac had invited Mrs.Verrier, treating her with a cold and punctilious courtesy that, as applied to any other guest, would have seemed an affront.
In vain, however, did the hostess, in vain did other kindly bystanders, endeavour to play the game of Daphne Floyd.

In the first place Daphne herself, though piped unto, refused to dance.

She avoided the society of Roger Barnes in a pointed and public way, bright colour on her cheeks and a wild light in her eyes; the Under-Secretary escorted her and carried her wrap.

Washington did not know what to think.