all."

Mrs. Christy took the extended hand murmuring:

"So nice of you to come with your chaos of engagements! Mrs. Danielson,
too!"

"I was delighted to have you think of me, Mrs. Christy," Mrs. Danielson
returned effusively, "and you may be sure yours was the only invitation
I considered for this afternoon--I let all the others go."

Elise Thayer followed with:

"Mrs. Christy, I've so anticipated to-day! I adore bridge and to have
the pleasure of being one of your guests made it additionally
delightful."

The three moved on and glanced over the rapidly crowding rooms.

"Really," whispered Mrs. Norman, "everybody is here. I'm amazed! There
are the Baring De Wolfs and the Wilson Delafields and Mrs. Morgan
Knickerbocker. You know how exclusive they are! And there is Mrs. Cecil
Jerome! I saw her yesterday and she never said a word about coming."

"Let's go and speak to her a moment before they sit down to play,"
suggested Ethel Danielson.

As they drifted in and out of the gathering assembly, varied snatches of
conversation reached them:

"Beautiful house, isn't it?"

"Yes, but overloaded--like the owner's hats! She is awfully bothered
about getting hats, she told me, and recently a French milliner begged
to see 'WHAT SHE COULD DO WITH HER.' Judging from the hat Mrs. Christy
wore at the St. Regis the other day, I guess the woman found out! Any
milliner who can get a patron to step out of the solitude of her boudoir
in such a concoction must have convinced herself that she can do
ANYTHING with her!"

"I don't think much of her gown," murmured another, "hideously
unbecoming!"

"I hope we shall not run into any of those people who 'TAKE A HAND JUST
TO ACCOMMODATE!'" chimed another. "I think there ought to be a law
prohibiting women who haven't taken lessons in the game, going to
parties and helping lose other people's money for them."

"I hate to play with either of those Hartwells--they simply blow your
head off after every hand; they haven't any manners!" put in a blond in
a creation of blue chiffon and silver.

"That girl in white over there ought to be ruled out!" said another
guest. "She is that artist visiting the Hollingsworths. She made it
HEARTS when I played with her once, 'so to lose as little as possible,'
she said."

The calling of the game cut short further comments.

The company was seated, the hands dealt, and the great bridge party was
at last really under way.

"Are they starting?