“I am indeed disappointed”—­said Mrs. St. Leonard, who had been looking approvingly at the prepossessing appearance of the two young people.  “Is there no way in which you can revoke your compliance with this unfortunate first invitation—­at least, I am sure, it is unfortunate for me.  What a vexatious contretemps that I should have chanced to be out when you called; thus missing the pleasure of seeing you at once, and securing that of your society for this evening?  The truth is, I was disappointed in some of the preparations that had been sent home this morning, and I had to go myself and have the things rectified, and was detained away longer than I expected.  May I ask to whom you are engaged this evening?  Perhaps I know the lady—­if so, I should be very much tempted to go and beg you from her.”

“The lady is Mrs. John Watkinson”—­replied Mrs. Morland—­“most probably she will invite some of her friends to meet us.”

“That of course”—­answered Mrs. St. Leonard—­“I am really very sorry—­and I regret to say that I do not know her at all.”

“We shall have to abide by our first decision,” said Mrs. Morland.  “By Mrs. Watkinson, mentioning in her note the hour of nine, it is to be presumed she intends asking some other company.  I cannot possibly disappoint her.  I can speak feelingly as to the annoyance (for I have known it by my own experience) when after inviting a number of my friends to meet some strangers, the strangers have sent an excuse almost at the eleventh hour.  I think no inducements, however strong, could tempt me to do so myself.”

“I confess that you are perfectly right,” said Mrs. St. Leonard.  “I see you must go to Mrs. Watkinson.  But can you not divide the evening, by passing a part of it with her and then finishing with me?”

At this suggestion the eyes of the young people sparkled, for they had become delighted with Mrs. St. Leonard, and imagined that a party at her house must be every way charming.  Also, parties were novelties to both of them.

“If possible we will do so,” answered Mrs. Morland, “and with what pleasure I need not assure you.  We leave New York to-morrow, but we shall return this way in September, and will then be exceedingly happy to see more of Mrs. St. Leonard.”

After a little more conversation Mrs. St. Leonard took her leave, repeating her hope of still seeing her new friends at her house that night; and enjoining them to let her know as soon as they returned to New York on their way home.

Edward Morland handed her to her carriage, and then joined his mother and sister in their commendations of Mrs. St. Leonard, with whose exceeding beauty were united a countenance beaming with intelligence, and a manner that put every one at their ease immediately.

“She is an evidence,” said Edward, “how superior our women of fashion are to those of Europe.”

“Wait, my dear son,” said Mrs. Morland, “till you have been in Europe, and had an opportunity of forming an opinion on that point (as on many others) from actual observation.  For my part, I believe that in all civilized countries the upper classes of people are very much alike, at least in their leading characteristics.”