`` How old is she ? '' `` About eighteen or nineteen , they say . '' `` Very pretty ? '' `` Ravishing , regularly Greek and divine , Fred Raleigh says . '' `` When is she to be married ? '' `` Do n't know ; when Talbot gets settled , I fancy . '' `` And he ? Is he as charming as she ? '' `` Quite , I 'm told . He 's just of age , and is , in appearance as in everything else , a hero of romance . '' `` How came your mother to secure him for tonight ? '' `` Mrs. Langdon is dying to make a lion of him , and begged to bring him . He is very indifferent on such things and seems intent on his own affairs . Is grave and old for his years , and does n't seem to care much for pleasure and admiration , as most men would after a youth like his , for he has had a hard time , I believe . For a wonder , he consented to come when Mrs. Langdon asked him , and I flew off at once to tell you and secure you for tonight . '' `` A thousand thanks . I meant to rest , for Mamma frets about my being so gay ; but she wo n't object to a quiet evening with you . What shall we wear ? '' And here the conversation branched off on the all-absorbing topic of dress . When Lillian joined her friend that evening , the hero had already arrived , and , stepping into a recess , she waited to catch a glimpse of him .
Maud was called away , and she was alone when the crowd about the inner room thinned and permitted young XXXXX to be seen .
Greek Langdon Lillian Mamma Raleigh Talbot affairs age evening years