“I say ‘Amen’ to that,” exclaimed Clara, “for this is an awful dull town.”
“I find it so myself,” replied Xerxes. “There are so few young ladies here.”
“So few?” answered Clara in surprise. “I thought there were a great many.”
“Yes, but I mean congenial spirits. They make no impression upon me. The fault, however, may be mine. I may not know how to entertain them. I have not been accustomed to a great deal of female society.”
“You dance beautifully, which made me conclude that you were a great lady’s man.”
“I am at a loss to imagine upon what you could base such a conclusion.”
“Is not dancing associated with ladies? You said you had enjoyed the evening. I was simple enough to think that it was the presence of ladies that caused the time to pass off so agreeably.”
“I am indebted to you for that,” he answered quickly. “If you will allow me to say it, you are so different from the rest.”
“If you really believe that, I must thank you for the compliment you intend.”