“You are so late,” she said, “that I was afraid something had occurred to keep you from coming altogether.”
“Nothing could have prevented me from coming,” said Streeter, gallantly, “where Mrs. Woodford is hostess!”
“Oh, that is very nice of you, Mr. Streeter!” answered the lady; “but I must not stand here talking with you, for I have promised to introduce you to Miss Neville, who wishes very much to meet you. She is a great admirer of yours, and has read all your books.”
“There are not very many of them,” said Streeter, with a laugh; “and such as they are, I hope Miss Neville thinks more of them than I do myself.”
“Oh, we all know how modest authors are!” replied his hostess, leading him away to be introduced.
Miss Neville was young and pretty, and she was evidently pleased to meet the rising young author.
“I have long wanted to see you,” she said, “to have a talk with you about your books.”
“You are very kind,” said Streeter, “but perhaps we might choose something more profitable to talk about?”
“I am not so sure of that. Doubtless you have been accustomed to hear only the nice things people say about you. That is the misfortune of many authors.”
“It is a misfortune,” answered Streeter.