She had attracted marked attention from commander and officers, and also from many of the guests, and in this way had succeeded in saving herself from the usual “pairing off.”
She had been somewhat reserved, too, in her manner toward Mr. Tressalia, and her father swore more than once to himself at her evident avoidance of him.
She blushed at his remark, but said, very quietly:
“I am not aware that I treat Mr. Tressalia indifferently, papa. He is a very pleasant gentleman, and I enjoy his society exceedingly.”
“Then why did you avoid him so persistently to-day?” he demanded.
“I would not appear to avoid any of our friends,” Editha said, with a deepening flush; “but really I do not enjoy being monopolized by one person so entirely as I have been the past two or three weeks.”
“What particular objection have you to Mr. Tressalia?”
“None whatever. I repeat, he is a very cultivated and agreeable gentleman, and I enjoy his society.”
“Then I desire that you may show a little more pleasure in it,” Mr. Dalton returned, impatiently.
“In what way, papa? How shall I show my pleasure in Mr. Tressalia’s society?” Editha asked, looking up at him with a droll expression of innocence.