"What do you mean?" he asked shortly.
"I mean that I had best give no other salon," she replied. "I mean that this is a failure and a mockery."
She looked full up into his eyes as she spoke. They both paused. "So soon?" questioned Kindelon, as if in soft amazement.
"Yes—so soon," she answered, with a quiver in her voice and a slight upward movement of both hands. "What is it all amounting to?"
"What did I tell you?" he said.
"Oh, confirm your prophecy?" she broke forth, somewhat excitedly. "I know you warned me against disappointment. Enjoy your satisfaction—Look at Aunt Cynthia now. She is holding a perfect court. How they do flock round Sallie and herself, just as Courtlandt said that they would! I feel that this is the beginning and the end. I have misjudged, miscalculated, misinterpreted. And I am miserably dejected!"
Just then Martha Dares approached Pauline. "Will you please introduce me to your aunt?" said Martha.
"With the greatest pleasure, Miss Dares," returned Pauline.
"Et tu Brute?" said Kindelon, under his breath. Pauline heard him, but Martha did not....
A little later Courtlandt had joined her, and Kindelon had glided away.