"I think you are one of the most charming women I have ever met," he
replied.

"Some women would object to the modification, but I rather like it."

"I withdraw the modification." The smile on his lips was not reflected
in his eyes.

The antithesis of the one expression to the other did not annoy her;
rather she was sensitive to a tender exultance the recurrence of which,
later in the day, subdued her: for Breitmann at tea turned a few
phrases of a similar character. Fitzgerald was light-hearted and
boyish, Breitmann was grave and dignified; but in the eyes of each
there was a force she had encountered so seldom as to forget its being.
Breitmann, in his capacity of secretary, was not so often in her
company as Fitzgerald; nevertheless she was subtly attracted toward
him. When he was of the mind he could invent a happy compliment with a
felicity no less facile than Fitzgerald. And the puzzling thing of it
all was, both men she knew from their histories had never been
ornaments at garden-parties where compliments are current coin. She
liked Fitzgerald, but she admired Breitmann, a differentiation which
she had no inclination to resolve into first principles. That
Breitmann was a secretary for hire drew no barrier in her mind. She
had known many gentlemen of fine families who had served in like
situations. There were no social distinctions. On the other hand, she
never felt wholly comfortable with Breitmann. There was not the least
mistrust in this feeling. It was rather because she instinctively felt
that he was above his occupation. To sum it up briefly, Breitmann was
difficult to understand and Fitzgerald wasn't.