“No, to the ball.”
He hesitated before answering.
“Yes—well, perhaps,” he said, as he began his soup. “I am not yet certain. I want to go, but there are reasons why I should not,” and he smiled.
“That sounds rather curious.”
“It is very curious, but it is so.”
“Do you mind explaining?”
“I do.”
His eyes were set on mine. They seemed somehow to hold my gaze in fascination. There was in them an expression that was half ironical, half humorous.
“I believe this is the first time we have met,” he said, after a pause.
“I’m quite sure it is,” I answered. “You will forgive my saying so, but I don’t think any one who had once met you could very well forget it.”