r me, so I'd better come down. Please _make_ Mr. Gwynne come to
my party. I intend that party to be the greatest thing ever given in
California--since the old Monte Cristo Ralston days, anyhow: and have
all sorts of surprises that I won't tell even you. The ballroom is quite
finished and is a perfect success. It is _too_ fine to think that you
will make your formal debut in it. Everybody is coming. Mr. Gwynne
simply must. I know of about a dozen girls who would have given him the
_cotillon_ if he had asked them, and even now, when they are all
engaged, I know of at least two who would not hesitate to throw their
men over. We all like him tremendously, the men as well as the women.
Mr. Hofer and I--do you know, we have just a dark suspicion--where _is_
Elton Gwynne, anyway? That would be too good to be true. He could own
the town. We know an _individual_ when we see one, and wouldn't we
appreciate the compliment! We'd like him all the better for having
accepted him when he was plain John Gwynne, and we'd like ourselves
better still. You know how we make up our own minds out here. Look at
the famous actors and singers we've rejected, and the reputations we've
made. Not like New York, that never expresses an opinion until a sort of
consensus has sweated up to the surface. I hate New York. Can't you come
down and pay me a visit of a week? I should love it. Call me up on the
telephone."

* * * * *

Isabel pondered over this missive for a few moments and then reread
parts of a long letter she had received the day before from Flora
Thangue.

* * * * *

"... I almost wish Jack would return, although at first I approved of
his going. His case seemed so desperate. But since the elections there
has been so much talk of him, so many prophecies as to what he will do
when he returns--they believe him to be travelling in South America--so
much seems to be expected of him, especially now that the Liberals are
in, and there is so much dissatisfaction with the Cabinet--I really
believe he would be the one to keep the party in power and that his
becoming prime-minister would be a question of only a few years. Not
such a bad outlook! But I don't care to say all this to Jack--or even to
Vicky. You are responsible for the present state of affairs, and I am
sure you realize what a tremendous responsibility it is. Besides, you
know every side of the question over there as I do n