"They couldn't help it," replied the young person, stifling a yawn. "I'm the wife of the charge of the Brazilian legation. And you?"
"Oh, I'm here just to take Lady Derl home."
The young person's eyes showed a gleam of interest as they glanced up the table to where Lady Derl sat and reigned an easy queen in that assembly.
"Oh," she said, "are you? Why you?"
"Well," said Lewis, "I suppose it's because I'm the only man in town that always remembers Lady Derl's beauty and gray hair at the same time."
The young person smiled.
"I believe I've heard of you. Leighton is your name, isn't it?"
"It's only five minutes since I was introduced," said Lewis, smiling, "and you made me say it over three times."
"Ah, yes," said the lady, unperturbed, "but five minutes is a long time—sometimes. Is Leighton a common name?"
"Not as common as some," said Lewis. "Why?"