Of all the gay company Frederic Vernon was the first to go.
"So the portrait painter is gone!" said Major Ashton to Miss Framley, whom he ran across once more.
"Yes. Poor fellow, he was evidently out of his element, and anxious to get away."
"Could not you detain him, Miss Framley, by your powerful fascinations?"
"As if I would try!" returned Miss Framley, tossing her head.
"You are too cruel!"
"He looked at me as if he would like to claim acquaintance," said Miss Framley, complacently, "but I can tell you, Major Ashton, I am very careful about my company."
"But he was an acquaintance of yours," said Ashton.
"In the same way that ma knows the butcher and baker. I don't choose to let him think we are social equals. American society is too promiscuous, as ma often says. Don't you think so yourself, Major Ashton?"
"No doubt your honored mother is right," answered Ashton, with a mocking smile.