ow gathering of
the crowd. By half-past eleven it had not yet hidden Mrs. Bellingham,
where she stood near the middle of the room, from the pleasant corner
they had found after accidentally arriving together. Mr. Brinkley had
not come; he said he might not be too old for receptions, but he was too
good; in either case he preferred to stay at home. "We used to come
at nine o'clock, and now we come at I'm getting into a quotation from
Mother Goose, I think."

"I thought it was Browning," said Munt, with his witticism manner.
Neither he nor Mrs. Brinkley was particularly glad to be together, but
at Mrs. James Bellingham's it was well not to fling any companionship
away till you were sure of something else. Besides, Mrs. Brinkley was
indolent and good-natured, and Munt was active and good-natured, and
they were well fitted to get on for ten or fifteen minutes. While they
talked she kept an eye out for other acquaintance, and he stood alert to
escape at the first chance. "How is it we are here so early--or rather
you are?" she pursued irrelevantly.

"Oh, I don't know," said Munt, accepting the implication of his superior
fashion with pleasure. "I never mind being among the first. It's rather
interesting to see people come in--don't you think?"

"That depends a good deal on the people. I don't find a great variety in
their smirks and smiles to Mrs. Bellingham; I seem to be doing them all
myself. And there's a monotony about their apprehension and helplessness
when they're turned adrift that's altogether too much like my own. No,
Mr. Munt, I can't agree with you that it's interesting to see people
come in. It's altogether too autobiographical. What else have you to
suggest?"

"I'm afraid I'm at the end of my string," said Munt. "I suppose we shall
see the Pasmers and young Mavering here to-night."

Mrs. Brinkley turned and looked sharply at him.

"You've heard of the engagement?" he asked.

"No, decidedly, I haven't. And after his flight from Campobello it's the
last thing I expected to hear of. When did it come out?"

"Only within a few days. They've been keeping it rather quiet. Mrs.
Pasmer told me herself."

Mrs. Brinkley gave herself a moment for reflection. "Well, if he can
stand it, I suppose I can."

"That isn't exactly what people are saying to Mrs. Pasmer, Mrs.
Brinkley," suggested Munt, with his humorous manner.

"I dare say they're trying to make her believe that her daughter is
sacrificed. That's the