toward the unknown country beyond the grillroom
lingered, and it made for peace that his wife seemed so competent to
guide.

On the score of her competency, Cora entertained no misgivings, and the
day following Handsome Ludlow's public elevation to sanctity she met
the club's representatives, the military secretary, and an august judge
of the Court of Appeals, with a self-possession she felt would grace
the daughter of a belted earl. The judge, after some ponderous
compliments, told her that the committee in charge, having assured
itself through the secretary that the governor and herself had no
conflicting engagement, had agreed upon a near date for the reception,
which he named. Cora promptly decided that in not consulting her the
military secretary had been wanting in respect, and to punish him
invented a previous engagement out of hand. Withered by his senior's
Jove-like frown, the young man apologized in hot-skinned contrition for
his ignorance of the unknowable.

"It's barely possible I didn't mention it," dropped Cora, scrupulously
fair.

This gracious intercession for the culprit had no weight with the
judge, who continued to regard the secretary with severity, and left
him wholly out of the discussion of a date which should meet her
wishes. This matter settled without further affront to her dignity,
the judge expanded under her flattering attention, and gossiped of the
reception itself.

"Between ourselves," he confessed, "the invitation list is bothering us
unconscionably. You see, it has expanded beyond our space. At the
last governor's reception the club-house was invaded by a mob--a mob,
madame,--there is no other expression,---which I need not add is out of
keeping with our traditions. But how draw the line without offence?"

With the dregs of her wrath against Mrs. Van Dam stirred afresh by the
disciplining of the grandson, Cora perceived and seized the opportunity
for a swingeing blow.

"There's an absurdly simple remedy," she returned thoughtfully; "but of
course it would hardly become me to offer suggestions."

"My dear madame," the judge protested, "it would be an act of charity."

After a politic interval of coaxing, Cora explained:--

"The reception is meant to be official in spirit, isn't it? Then why
not make it so in fact? Limit your invitations to the official circle.
If all the townspeople unconnected with the government are excluded, no
one need take offence."

A few day