e and offered
his arm, which was accepted.

There was a crowd and crush upon the stairs, fine gentlemen and ladies
seeming to forget their courtesy and good breeding in their haste to be
among the earliest who should reach the banqueting-hall. This was long
and spacious, having been planned by Mr. Birtwell with a view to grand
entertainments like the one he was now giving. In an almost incredibly
short space of time it was filled to suffocation. Those who thought
themselves among the first to move were surprised to find the tables
already surrounded by young men and women, who had been more interested
in the status of the supper-room than in the social enjoyments of the
parlors, and who had improved their advanced state of observation by
securing precedence of the rest, and stood waiting for the signal to
begin.

Mr. Birtwell had a high respect for the Church, and on an occasion like
this could do no less than honor one of its dignitaries by requesting
him to ask a blessing on the sumptuous repast he had provided--on the
rich food and the good wine and brandy he was about dispensing with
such a liberal hand. So, in the waiting pause that ensued after the
room was well filled, Mr. Elliott was called upon to bless this feast,
which he did in a raised, impressive and finely modulated voice. Then
came the rattle of plates and the clink of glasses, followed by the
popping of champagne and the multitudinous and distracting Babel of
tongues.

Mr. Ridley, who felt much inclined to favor the superficial and
ill-advised utterances of Mr. Elliott, took scarcely any heed of what
Dr. Hillhouse had replied. In fact, knowing that the doctor was free
with wine himself, he did not give much weight to what he said, feeling
that he was talking more for argument's sake than to express his real
sentiments.

A feeling of repression came over Mr. Ridley as he entered the
supper-room and his eyes ran down the table. Half of this sumptuous
feast was forbidden enjoyment. He must not taste the wine. All were
free but him. He could fill a glass for the elegant lady whose hand was
still upon his arm, but must not pledge her back except in water. A
sense of shame and humiliation crept into his heart. So he felt when,
in the stillness that fell upon the company, the voice of Mr. Elliott
rose in blessing on the good things now spread for them in such lavish
profusion. Only one sentence took hold on, Mr. Ridley's mind. It was
this: "Giver of all