2S            SOCIETY AS I HAVE FOUND  IT.

ball that evening, and on my replying,
"Yes, of course I was," she requested me
to accompany her husband and self, which
I did. On entering Mr. Corcoran's ball
room with her on my arm, I noticed that
the old gentleman bowed very*stiffly to us ;
however, I paid no attention to this and
went on dancing, and escorting through
the rooms my fair partner, from whom I
had no sooner been separated than my
host slapped me on the shoulder with,
" My dear young man, I know you did not
know it, but the lady you have just had on
your arm is not only not a guest of nilne,
but this morning I positively refused to
send her an invitation to this ball." For¬
tunately I had brought letters to this dis¬
tinguished man, so seeing my annoyance,
he patted me on the shoulder and said,
"My boy, this is not an unusual occurrence
in this city; but let it be a warning to you
to take care hereafter whom you bring to a
friend's house."