But he gained nothing by the motion. On the contrary, he lost.
No sooner were they seated, than up came Richard Hammond, confident and smiling.
Anna received him with the utmost graciousness.
And he stood before her, talking and laughing with her very gaily.
Other gentlemen friends, whom Anna had met on former occasions, came up and paid their respects, and lingered near her. Her lady friends, a few of whom were present, also sought her out, and greeted her with much apparent gladness, and introduced their friends to her.
There was not room on the sofa for all these ladies. So Anna, deeming it discourteous to sit, where so many were standing, arose from her seat and stood up. And very soon a circle of the most distinguished men and the most brilliant women in the assembly was formed around her. And she seemed as a queen, receiving the homage of her court.
Presently, a general buzz in the crowd announced some interesting event, and before the little excitement subsided, the commanding form of the President was seen passing with his suite through the room.
In due course, he drew near the circle that surrounded Miss Lyon. On seeing that young beauty, he immediately passed through the circle that divided to admit him, and stood before her, holding out his hand, and saying, in a fatherly and familiar manner:
“How do you do, my dear? I am very glad to see you here, this evening. But where is my old friend, the General?”
Miss Lyon, with a deep courtesy, explained that her grandfather’s precarious state of health deprived him of the honor of waiting on his Excellency.