ively to remark that Mrs. Van Astrachan and he
were always of the same opinion,--an expression happily defining that
state in which a man does just what his wife tells him to.

CHAPTER XXI.

_MRS. FOLLINGSBEE'S PARTY, AND WHAT CAME OF IT_.

Our vulgar idea of a party is a week or fortnight of previous
discomfort and chaotic tergiversation, and the mistress of it all
distracted and worn out with endless cares. Such a party bursts in
on a well-ordered family state as a bomb bursts into a city, leaving
confusion and disorder all around. But it would be a pity if such a
life-long devotion to the arts and graces as Mrs. Follingsbee had
given, backed by Dick Follingsbee's fabulous fortune, and administered
by the exquisite Charlie Ferrola, should not have brought forth some
appreciable results. One was, that the great Castle of Indolence was
prepared for the _fete_ with no more ripple of disturbance than if it
had been a Nereid's bower, far down beneath the reach of tempests,
where the golden sand is never ruffled, and the crimson and blue sea
flowers never even dream of commotion.

Charlie Ferrola wore, it is true, a brow somewhat oppressed with care,
and was kept tucked up on a rose-colored satin sofa, and served with
lachrymae Christi, and Montefiascone, and all other substitutes
for the dews of Hybla, while he draughted designs for the floral
arrangements, which were executed by obsequious attendants in felt
slippers; and the whole process of arrangement proceeded like a dream
of the lotus-eaters' paradise.

Madame de Tullegig was of course retained primarily for the adornment
of Mrs. Follingsbee's person. It was understood, however, on this
occasion, that the composition of the costumes was to embrace both
hers and Lillie's, that they might appear in a contrasted tableau,
and bring out each other's points. It was a subject worthy a Parisian
artiste, and drew so seriously on Madame de Tullegig's brain-power,
that she assured Mrs. Follingsbee afterwards that the effort of
composition had sensibly exhausted her.

Before we relate the events of that evening, as they occurred, we must
give some little idea of the position in which the respective parties
now stood.

Harry Endicott, by his mother's side, was related to Mrs. Van
Astrachan. Mr. Van Astrachan had been, in a certain way, guardian
to him; and his success in making his fortune was in consequence of
capital advanced and friendly patronage thus accorde