"Where I was inclined to go to sleep, and you gave me such a charming frown that I awakened immediately and took a long ramble." "I saw a person stretched at lazy length under the trees yesterday. You know the horror ladies have of intoxicated men on the road-side." "Was that the impression I made? Thanks." "The impression made was that we had better pass as quickly as possible." "You made a very different impression. Thanks to Strahan I am here this evening in consequence, and am delighted that I came." "'Delighted' is a strong word, Mr. Merwyn. Now that we are speaking of impressions, mine is that years have elapsed since you were greatly delighted at anything." "What gives you such an impression?" "Women can never account for their intuitions." "Women? Do not use such an elderly word in regard to one appearing as if just entering girlhood." "O Mr. Merwyn! have you not learned abroad that girls of my age are elderly indeed compared with men of yours?" He bit his lip. "English girls are not so--" "Fast?" "I didn't say that. They certainly have not the vivacity and fascination that I am discovering in your drawing-room." "Why, Mr. Merwyn! one would think you had come to America on a voyage of discovery, and were surprised at the first thing you saw." "I think I could show you things abroad that would interest you." "All Europe could not tempt me to go abroad at this time. In your estimation I am not even a woman,--only a girl, and yet I have enough girlhood to wish to take my little part in the events of the day." He colored, but asked, quietly, "What part are you taking?" "Such questions," she replied, with a merry, half-mocking flash of her eyes, "I answer by deeds. There are those who know;" and then, being addressed by Mr. Lane, she turned away, leaving him with confused, but more decided sensations than he had known for a long time. His first impulse was to leave the house, but this course would only subject him to ridicule on the part of those who remained. After a moment or two of reflection he remembered that she had not invited him, and that she had said nothing essentially rude. He had merely chosen to occupy a position in regard to his country that differed radically from hers, and she had done little more than define her position.