"Oh! I know him well." She was evidently trying to catch the count's eye to prove her intimate acquaintance; but Pushkin was too much engrossed with or by our hostess to see her—or else was too busy evading my eye.
"Well, it's all up with me," I thought. "If I leave him here, my character's gone forever."
"Such a beautiful custom," murmured Mrs. Gillis's friend. "I always like it."
"Now, do sit down and have a cup of tea," said our hostess. "I will make you a fresh cup." She glanced at a chair across the room and then at me, and I almost thought she was going to ask me to bring the chair for the count! But she thought better of it.
"Go and bring that chair and sit right here by me and let me know how you are."
"Here, take this seat," said Mrs. Gillis, who was rising, but whose eyes were fast on Pushkin's face.
"Oh! must you be going?" asked Mrs. Argand. "Well, good-by—so glad you could come."
"Yes, I must go. How do you do, Count Pushkin?"
"Oh! ah! How do you do?" said the count, turning with a start and a short bow.
"I met you at the ball not long ago. Miss McSheen introduced me to you. Don't you remember?" She glanced at the young lady who stood waiting.