y
the impression of being always ready and always helpful.

To say that Mrs. Black and Mrs. Lake were, upon their arrival, surprised
to find him there would be expressing their feelings far too mildly.
They knew Mr. Hungerford, but, heretofore, that gentleman had moved in
circles other than their own. It is true that he belonged to the same
club as did Mr. Black, but Mr. Hungerford's friends had been younger,
the ultra-fashionable set, the set which Annette had characterized as
"rather fast" but which, because of its money and society connections,
she secretly envied. To find him here, an associate and friend of the
people she had called "countrified," was most astonishing. She wondered,
but she could not help being impressed, and her attitude toward her dear
friend Serena was never so gushingly cordial. As for Mr. Hungerford, he
greeted the Chapter representatives with condescending urbanity. When
the reception began, somehow or other, Cousin Percy was in the receiving
line.

Captain Dan, uncomfortably starched and broad-clothed, received
likewise, but his remarks to those who pressed his hand and murmured
compliments were rather commonplace and very much alike; this consisted
principally of "How d'ye do's" and "Glad to see you's"; and it was only
when the Honorable and Mrs. Fenholtz came that he appeared to remember
anything else. It was evident that Mr. and Mrs. Fenholtz were as
surprised as the rest to see Mr. Hungerford there. The Honorable,
seizing an opportunity when the captain was for a moment alone,
whispered in his ear.

"Where did he come from?" he asked, with a jerk of the head in Cousin
Percy's direction.

"Him?" replied Daniel. "Oh, he came last night."

"Is that so? Is he a friend of yours?"

"Well, he ain't--isn't exactly a friend, I guess. He's a sort of
relation, a nephew of Aunt Laviny's."

"Oh, oh, I see--I see."

There was something in the tone which caused Captain Dan to ask a
question in return.

"Know him, do you?" he inquired.

"Yes, I know him, but--it is all right, Olga; I'm coming."

He passed on to make room for another assortment of new arrivals, lady
members of the Chapter, and Daniel's curiosity remained unsatisfied.

After the reception proper, came a social and, to Daniel, very
uncomfortable hour, and then Mr. Hungerford, who seemed to have taken
upon himself the position of master of ceremonies, suggested dancing.

Of all the captain's society experiences so far, this