Hiram Meeker drank in with open ears and eyes, for from where
he was sitting, he could see everything that was going on, as well as
hear every word.

One thing particularly impressed him. He felt that never before had he
been in such society. The ladies of Dr. Chellis's church were
intelligent, refined, and well bred, but here was TON--that
unmistakable, unquestionable _ton_ which arrogates everything unto
itself, claims everything, and with a certain class _is_ everything.

I need not say, to a person of Hiram's keen and appreciative sense, the
picture before him was most attractive. How perfect was every point in
it! What minute and fastidious attention had been devoted to every
article of dress! How every article had been specially _designed_ to set
off and adorn! The hat, how charming; the hair, how exquisitely coiffed;
the shawl, how magnificent; the dress how rich! The gloves, of what
admirable tint, and how neatly fitted; and how wonderfully were the
walking boots adapted to display foot and ankle! And these did not
distinguish one, but _every one_ present.

I do not wonder Hiram was carried away by the spectacle. There is
something very overpowering in such a scene. Who is sufficient to resist
its seductive influences?

In the midst of what might be called a trance, when Hiram's senses were
wrapt in a sort of charmed Elysium, the Rev. Augustus Myrtle entered the
room. He did not look toward Hiram, but passed directly into the back
parlor. He walked along, not as if he were stepping on eggs, but very
smoothly and noiselessly, as if treading (as he was doing) on the finest
of velvet carpets.

Instantly what a flutter! How they ran up to him, ambitious to get the
first salute, and to proffer the first congratulation! How gracefully
the Rev. Augustus Myrtle received each! Two or three there were (there
were reasons, doubtless) whose cheeks he kissed decorously, yet possibly
with some degree of relish. The rest had to content themselves with
shaking hands. Many and various were the compliments he received. Their
'delight to see him, how well he was looking,' and so forth.

Presently he started to leave them.

'Oh, you must not run off so soon, we shall follow you to your
_sanctum_.'

'An engagement,' replied Mr. Myrtle, glancing into the other room.

A score of handsome eyes were turned in the direction where Hiram was
seated, listening with attention, and watching everything. Discomfited
by such an array