ire as to envy, even while it does
not appreciate.

But what most inspired with noble ambition the gilded youth of that
particular _coterie_, was the universally accepted fact that old Jack
Allmand was master of the warmest fortune that any papa thereabouts
might add to the blessing he bestowed upon his son-in-law.

And, like Jeptha of old, he "had one fair daughter and no more." A
widower--not only "warm," but very safe--he had weathered all the
shoals and quicksands of "the street," and had brought his golden
argosy safe into the port of investment. Then he had retired from
business, which theretofore had engrossed his whole heart and soul,
and lavished both upon the fair young girl, to bring whom from final
finishing at the _Sacre Coeur_, he had just made himself so hideously
sea-sick.

It was very late in the season when the delayed return of the pair was
announced, with numerous adjectives, in the society columns; but Mr.
Allmand's impatience to expose his golden fleece to the expectant
Jasons would brook no delay. Blanche was allowed scarcely time to
unpack her many trunks; to exhibit her goodly share of the _chefs
d'oeuvres_ of Pengat and Worth to the admiring elect; and to receive
gushing embraces, only measured by their envy, when the _debut_ ball
was announced for Christmas-eve.

His best Christmas gift had come to the doting father; and what more
fitting season to show his joy and pride in it, and to have their
little world share both?

When Blanche, backed by Miss Rose Wood, had hinted that it was rather
an unusual occasion, he had promptly settled that by declaring that
she was a peculiarly unusual sort of girl. So the invitations went
forth; the Allmand mansion was first turned inside out, and then
illuminated, and flower-hidden for the _debut_ ball.

That it would be _the_ affair of the season none doubted. Already,
many a paternal pocket had twinged responsive to extra appeals from
marketable daughters; and as to beaux, they had responded _nem. con._,
when bidden to the event promising so much in present feast, and which
might possibly so tend to prevent future famine. For already the clubs
had discounted the chances of one favorite or another for winning the
marital prize of the year.

Foremost among those who had hastened to welcome Blanche back to her
new home was Miss Rose Wood. She had the mysterious knack of "coming
out" gracefully with every fresh set; of perfectly adapting herself to
it