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"I don’t know, my lady," Liese said "Venture is a very influential house"

"Yes, well, Elend doesn’t live up to that reputation He see those in his coed, dancing"I don’t know You… seem to know him better than I, my lady"

"I…" Vin trailed off She felt as if she knew him well--far better than she should know a man after two brief encounters She couldn’t very well explain that to Liese, however

But, maybe… Didn’t Renoux say that he’d met Elend once?

"Oh, Elend is a friend of the faht

"He is?"

"Yes," Vin said "It was very kind of my uncle to ask Elend to watch over me at these parties, and so far he’s been quite a dear I do wish that he’d pay less attention to those books of his and h"

Liese perked up, and he seerow a little less insecure "Oh Why, that makes sense"

"Yes," Vin said, "Elend has been like an older brother tomy time here in Luthadel"

Liese smiled

"I ask you about him because he doesn’t speak much of himself," Vin said

"The Ventures have all been quiet lately," Liese said "Ever since the attack on their keep several months back"

Vin nodded "You know much about that?"

Liese shook his head "No one tellstheir feet "You’re very good at dancing, Lady Renoux You must have attended many balls back in your home city"

"You flatter raceful"

Vin se of confidence

"Yes," Liese said, almost to himself "You’re not at all like Lady Shan said--" He stopped, jerking slightly, as if realizing what he was saying

"What?" Vin said

"Nothing," Liese said, his blush rising "I’ht Remember that naressed, but he was obviously too inexperienced to knowbetween the houses; though the balls continued, there were more and more absences as people didn’t attend parties thrown by their political rivals

When the dance ended, Vin felt good about her efforts She probably hadn’t discovered inning She’d work up to ht as Liese led her back to her table, I’ to have to attend a lot more of these balls It wasn’t that the balls themselves were unpleasant--especially now that she wasHowever, more balls meant fewer chances to be out in the o anyway, she thought with an inward sigh, s politely as Liese bowed and retreated

Elend had spread his books across the table, and her alcove was lit by several more candelabra--apparently filched froht, we’ve at least got thieving in co notations in a small, pocket-sized book He didn’t look up as she sat Sazed, she noticed, was nowhere to be seen

"I sent the Terrisman to dinner," Elend said distractedly as he scribbled "No need for hiry while you twirled down below"