st
and most exclusive people who in a plutocratic society always try to
think themselves for some reason or other the best people, she found
that under Millard's guidance she could succeed in getting some people
of wealth and distinction who were desirous of being presented to a
baron, and, what was better, she could get a considerable number from
that class of lettered men and their families and the admirers of
literature, art, and learning, who, together, form the really best
people in every metropolis. Most of these knew little of Pohlsen's
researches, and cared less for his title, but since he was vouched for
as a foreigner who had acquired distinction in his department of
knowledge, they were ready to do him honor with that generous
hospitality for which Americans blame themselves while they practise it;
as though it were not better for us to be good-hearted, remembering that
in the studious preservation of national dignity and social
perpendicularity we can never hope to emulate our English cousins.

How was it all arranged? How, without violating the sanctities of
etiquette, did Mrs. Hilbrough contrive to invite people whom she did not
know, and how did they accept with no sacrifice of dignity? Millard was
an expert adviser; he knew that just as counters are made to stand for
money in a game of cards, so do little oblong bits of pastebord with the
sender's name upon them pass current under certain conditions as
substitutes for visits, acquaintance, esteem, and friendship. By a
juggle with these social chips Mrs. Hilbrough became technically, and
temporarily, acquainted with a great many people, and that without much
sacrifice of time. Do not expect details here; your fashionable
stationer is the best reliance in such a case, unless you chance to know
Mr. Millard, or can find the law laid down in Mrs. Sherwood's tactfully
vague chapters, which, like the utterances of the Delphic oracle, are
sure to hit the mark one way or the other.

Now that Millard had taken Mrs. Hilbrough for a client he could not bear
to be balked. The attendance of Mrs. Gouverneur he considered of the
first importance, but this was not easily secured. If anything could
have persuaded that lady to sacrifice her principles as an exclusive so
far as to attend, it would have been her dislike of refusing Phillida;
but as it was, she made excuses without positively refusing. In telling
Mrs. Hilbrough of her lack of success Phillida took pains to r