He had no great faculty for apprehending generalizations.
There were some three or four indeed which, in the play
of his own intelligence, he had originated, and which had
seemed convenient at the moment; but at the present time
he could hardly have been said to follow Mrs. Westgate
as she darted gracefully about in the sea of speculation.
Fortunately she asked for no especial rejoinder,
for she looked about at the rest of the company as well,
and smiled at Percy Beaumont, on the other side of her,
as if he too much understand her and agree with her.
He was rather more successful than his companion;
for besides being, as we know, cleverer, his attention was
not vaguely distracted by close vicinity to a remarkably
interesting young girl, with dark hair and blue eyes.
This was the case with Lord Lambeth, to whom it occurred
after a while that the young girl with blue eyes and dark
hair was the pretty sister of whom Mrs. Westgate had spoken.
She presently turned to him with a remark which established
her identity.

"It's a great pity you couldn't have brought my brother-in-law with you.
It's a great shame he should be in New York in these days."

"Oh, yes; it's so very hot," said Lord Lambeth.

"It must be dreadful," said the young girl.

"I daresay he is very busy," Lord Lambeth observed.

"The gentlemen in America work too much," the young girl went on.