But this remark had not the desired effect of sparing Ralph's blushes.
"Do you know many people here?" he asked.
"No, I am rather out of it."
"So am I. It was quite refreshing to see a face I knew."
"Have you seen Miss Maclean?"
"I have heard her sing. She seems to be greatly in requisition."
"Well, of course she is practically a daughter of the house, and Miss Munro is so young."
"May I have the pleasure of taking you down to supper?"
"Thank you, I have promised to go with Mr Lacy. Here he comes."
And Ralph was left alone once more. He could not tear himself away from the house till he had seen Mona again; and, while he waited, he suddenly espied his friend Jack Melville.