Mrs. Filmer drop so many unkind words about me."

"Drop kind ones about them. The incongruity will eventually strike
him."

"His family have always tried to make sorrow for me."

"Of course. A wife's foes are to be found in her husband's family. Let
them plot and plan, and you be sincere. Whatever is sincere invariably
conquers. A week to-day we are going to have a grand dinner-party.
Wear your wedding dress, and I have brought you my sapphires and
diamonds. Dress your hair high. Dress to the utmost of your conception
of what is splendid. Then march on Harry, and take him anew by storm.
One-half of men's passion for pretty actresses is grounded on their
picturesque dressing. If they saw the same girls in a housemaid's
cotton gown and apron, they would not look at them."

"Such a low side to touch Harry on!"

"Oh, dear me! Can you build a marble palace without the rough wood
scaffolding? Do but be bright and cheerful and handsome and patient,
and my word for it! you will see how swiftly Harry will tire of meaner
women. For the rapid transformation whereby carnal love is turned into
carnal hatred is one of the most wonderful things to consider. Now
mind, you are to conquer all before you next Thursday night!"

So the invitation was formally sent, and Adriana announced her
intention of accepting it. Harry was a trifle annoyed. He had grown
accustomed to going out alone, and feeling a kind of safe repose in
the idea of the wife watching on his hearthstone.

"Do you think you had better go, dear?" he asked. "Is little Harry
well enough to leave? And there is your dress! I suppose it will be a
very fine affair."

"Cousin Alida made a point of my being present. I must go for dinner.
I need not stay long after."

"I have an engagement at the Union Club that very night--rather an
important one--I wonder how I can manage?"

"You can take me to the Zabriski house, and make your apologies in
person to Cousin Alida. After your dinner at the club, you can call
for me. I dare say I shall be ready to go home."

"Those Zabriski affairs are so very stupid."

"Still, we like to have the invitations."

"If you do go, Yanna, dress as Mrs. Harry Filmer ought to dress."

"Certainly, Harry, I will." And then with renewed hope she made her
preparations. They were so successful that her face was radiant with
delight when she pressed her cousin's large, capable hand and
whispered:

"Harry said I was the most beautiful creature