Later on in the evening, when the brilliant ball was almost over, Lord Vivianne sought Lady Studleigh again.
"I am going to ask a great favor," he said; "it is that I may be permitted to call. I have had the pleasure of an introduction to the Earl of Linleigh."
"I shall be much pleased," she replied, indifferently—so indifferently that he could not possibly tell whether she were pleased or otherwise.
"Shall you remain much longer in town?" he asked, determined to keep up a conversation with her.
"I hope so," she replied. "I think London is incomparable; I cannot imagine any other life half so delightful."
"You should see Paris," he said, looking earnestly at her.
"Yes, I should like to see court life in Paris. I was there as a child, but, as a matter of course, I have no knowledge of French society. I was too young to know much about it."
"You must try to spend some time there; there is a brilliancy about French society that we do not find in England."
She looked as politely indifferent as possible, not sufficiently so to offend him, but enough to show him that she felt no great interest in the conversation. He could not find any excuse for delaying any longer, but he left her with the determination to see her again as soon as possible.
"The ball has been a brilliant success," said the earl. "Have you enjoyed it, Doris?"