"Do you mean the Gilberts of West Forty-Fifth Street?"
"Yes."
"I am very much pleased, Edgar. Mr. Gilbert is a wealthy merchant, and stands very high in society. How did you manage it?"
"Through Stanley Rayburn, who knows her brother."
"Have you made the acquaintance of Miss Gilbert?"
"Yes, I met her walking with Stanley on Fifth Avenue. He introduced me."
"I should hardly think she would have invited you on such short acquaintance."
"I got Stanley to make a personal request of her. She objected at first, but finally came round. Stanley says she is very good-natured and obliging."
"Luckily for you. Well, I am glad you have the invitation. It will be an entering wedge. You must try to get acquainted with as many of her guests as possible."
"Trust me for that, father. I know on which side my bread is b.u.t.tered."
"I know you are sensible. You quite accord with me in your views on this subject. As for your mother she has no proper pride. She would be contented to a.s.sociate with persons in the same social position as Mrs.
Mason and Mark. This very morning she applied to me for permission to call upon her sister."
"Of course you refused."
"Of course. Not but I would consent if your aunt, instigated by Mark, had not acted in such an extraordinary way about signing a release to me as administrator to your grandfather"s estate."
"What is her reason?"
"I suppose she thinks she ought to have more than she has received from it."
"Grandfather was very poor, wasn"t he?"
"I didn"t think so when he lived, but he left next to nothing after his debts were paid."
"Some people are very unreasonable."
"Of course. I suppose Mrs. Mason and Mark think I ought to make up for their disappointment."
"But you won"t, father?"
"Certainly not. I did offer them a hundred dollars out of pity for their poverty, but they are standing out for more."
"It is quite disgusting."
"It is human nature, I suppose," said Mr. Talbot leniently. "I don"t know that I am surprised."
Mrs. Talbot was very unlike her husband and son. She was sincerely attached to her sister, and her affection had not been diminished by Mrs. Mason"s poverty.
It was her desire to call on her as soon as she arrived in the city, but she stood somewhat in awe of her husband who had positively refused his consent. So she unwillingly gave up the plan for the present, hoping that the time would soon come when she and her sister could meet.
It came two days before the party.
With the money with which Mark supplied her, Mrs. Mason went up town to the well-known store of Arnold & Constable, intending to get dress patterns there.
She had made her purchases and received her bundle.
"Will you have it sent home?" asked the salesman courteously.
"No, thank you."
Mrs. Mason shrank from having the parcel brought to her humble abode in St. Mark"s Place.
She was turning to go when she heard her name called in glad and familiar accents.
"Why, Ellen, do I meet you at last?"
"Lucy!" exclaimed Mrs. Mason, as she clasped hands warmly with her sister. "This is a delightful surprise."
"To me also; I thought I should never see you again."
"It is not my fault, Lucy."
"No, no. I know it," answered Mrs. Talbot. "Mr. Talbot is peculiar, as you know. He thinks everything of social rank. Now tell me, how are you getting on?"
"Very poorly till lately, but now better."
"You are not in want? Solon doesn"t allow me much money, but----"
"No, Lucy. I want for nothing. Mark is a good boy, and he has been fortunate. You see I have just bought two dress patterns, one for Edith, the other for myself."
"I am glad indeed to hear it. Mark is a telegraph messenger, is he not?"
"Yes."
"I shouldn"t think that would pay very well."
"It does not, so far as wages go, but some who have employed him have been liberal."
"Come out with me for a walk. My purchases can wait. We will go to Sixth Avenue, as we are less likely to be seen together than on Broadway."
For an hour the two sisters talked, and it seemed delightful to both to be again together.
"I must go home now," said Mrs. Mason, "as I left Edith alone. Besides it is time for me to prepare supper for Mark. I wish you could go with me."
"I would, Ellen, but Mr. Talbot would be angry."
"Do you think he is justified in keeping you away from your only sister?"