"I am very sorry," I murmured, now thoroughly ashamed of myself.
"We will make a truce not again to discuss our acquaintances; but that interesting subject eliminated from conversation, there would be a dearth left with a goodly number of our species."
"I do not care for the tea parties here, Mr. Winthrop. I am not interested in the things they talk about." I said, with a sudden burst of confidence.
"You have broken our compact already. A woman cannot hold to a bargain, I am informed."
"I had not promised," I said, proudly.
"Then I am to infer you are an exception, and would hold to your promises, no matter how binding."
"I am the daughter of a man; possibly I may have inherited some noble, manly properties." My temper was getting ruffled.
"Yes, Nature plays some curious freaks occasionally," he said in a reflective way, as if we were discussing some scientific subject.
"You will please excuse me. Dinner will be announced shortly, and I must remove my wraps," I said, very politely.
He bowed, and I gladly escaped to my own room, feeling more startled than pleased at my first interview with Mr. Winthrop.