deciding it was best to end this association now , herself , rather than bear the humiliation of having melanie camden cut her dead when they next met , alexandra drew a deep breath and said in a painfully awkward rush , `` i appreciate your offer of friendship , lady camden , but you see , i 'm very busy these days with balls and luncheons and ... and all sorts of amusements ... and so i very much doubt that you ... we ... would be able to find time ... and i 'm certain you already have dozens and dozens of friends who- '' `` -who think you are the veriest greenhead ever to appear at a london ball ? ''