“I assure you I did not see you,” replied the lady, with a remarkably acute accent.
“That I can easily account for,” replied my friend; “I was walking on the other side, and there were several carriages in the street.”
“Oh! I should not have seen you if I had stumbled over you. I never look at gentlemen.”
Here she again whispered to her acquaintance, with her eyes fixed upon us; but my friend was determined to see her out.
“Do you know,” said he, “Mrs. *** is going to give a magnificent ball?”
“I am glad to hear it,” replied the young lady.
“It is said the first invitations are already given out. I dare say you have received yours?”
The young lady exchanged looks with her friend.
“Are you invited, sir?”
“Oh, I am an old friend of the house; I go there whenever I please.”