I turned to look just as Pushkin brushed by me and, with a little rush between the ladies seated near me, bent over and seizing her hand, kissed it zealously, while he uttered his compliments. It manifestly made a deep impression on the company. I was sure he had seen me. The effect on the company was remarkable. The blonde girl moved around a little and stood in front of another lady who pressed slightly forward. "Count Pushkin!" muttered one lady to Mrs. Gillis, in an audible undertone. "Oh! I know him well." She was evidently trying to catch the count's eye to prove her intimate acquaintance; but Pushkin was too much engrossed with or by our hostess to see her--or else was too busy evading my eye. "Well, it's all up with me," I thought. "If I leave him here, my character's gone forever." "Such a beautiful custom," murmured Mrs. Gillis's friend. "I always like it." "Now, do sit down and have a cup of tea," said our hostess. "I will make you a fresh cup." She glanced at a chair across the room and then at me, and I almost thought she was going to ask me to bring the chair for the count! But she thought better of it. "Go and bring that chair and sit right here by me and let me know how you are." "Here, take this seat," said Mrs. Gillis, who was rising, but whose eyes were fast on Pushkin's face. "Oh! must you be going?" asked Mrs. Argand. "Well, good-by--so glad you could come." "Yes, I must go. How do you do, Count Pushkin?" "Oh! ah! How do you do?" said the count, turning with a start and a short bow. "I met you at the ball not long ago. Miss McSheen introduced me to you. Don't you remember?" She glanced at the young lady who stood waiting. "Ah! Yes--certainly! To be sure--Miss McSheen--ah! yes, I remember." Doubtless, he did; for at this juncture the young lady I had been talking to, stepped forward and claimed the attention of the count, who, I thought, looked a trifle bored. Feeling as if I were a mouse in a trap, I was about to try to escape when my intention was changed as suddenly as by a miracle, and, indeed, Eleanor Leigh's appearance at this moment seemed almost, if not quite, miraculous.