ion. Opposite the house, on the sidewalk
and on door-steps, was a motley throng, largely made up of toughs and
roughs from the East Side, good-natured spectators who merely wanted to
see this splendid prison, and a moving line of gentlemen and ladies who
simply happened to be passing that way at this time. The curbstone was
lined with a score of reporters of the city journals, each with his
note-book. Every window and entrance was eagerly watched. It was hoped
that one of the family might be seen, or that some servant might appear
who could be interviewed. Upon the windows supposed by the reporters
to be those from which the heiress looked, a strict watch was kept. The
number, form, and location of these windows were accurately noted, the
stuff of the curtains described in the phrase of the upholsterer, and
much good language was devoted to the view from these windows. The
shrewdest of the reporters had already sought information as to the
interior from the flower dealers, from upholsterers, from artists who
had been employed in the decorations, and had even assailed, in the name
of the rights of the public whom they represented, the architects of the
building; but their chief reliance was upon the waiters furnished by the
leading caterers on occasions of special receptions and great dinners,
and milliners and dress-makers, who had penetrated the more domestic
apartments. By reason of this extraordinary article in the newspaper,
the public had acquired the right to know all about the private life of
the Mavick family.

This right was not acknowledged by Mr. Mavick and his family. Of course
the object of the excitement was wholly ignorant of the cause of it,
as no daily newspaper was ever seen by her that had not been carefully
inspected by the trusted and intelligent governess. The crowd in front
of the mansion was accounted for by the statement that a picture of
it had appeared in one of the low journals, and there was naturally
a curiosity to see it. And Evelyn was told that this was one of the
penalties a man paid for being popular.

Mrs. Mavick, who seldom lost her head, was thoroughly frightened and
upset, and it was a rare occasion that could upset the equanimity of
the late widow, Mrs. Carmen Henderson. She gave way to her passion and
demanded that the offending editor should be pursued with the utmost
rigor of the law. Mr. Mavick was not less annoyed and angry, but he
smiled when his wife talked of pursuing the