was required.  Lyons’s reputation as an orator had been extended by his term in the House of Representatives and his recent active campaign, and he was in receipt of a number of invitations from various parts of the country to address august bodies in other States.  All of these were declined, but when, in the month of April, opportunity was afforded him to deliver a speech on patriotic issues on the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, he decided, with Selma’s approval, to accept the invitation.  He reasoned that a short respite from the cares of office would be agreeable; she was attracted by the glamour of revisiting New York as a woman of note.  New York had refused to recognize her superiority and to do her homage, and New York should realize her present status, and what a mistake had been made.  The speech was a success, and the programme provided for the entertainment of the orator and his wife included the hospitality of several private houses.  Selma felt that she could afford to hold her head high and not to thaw too readily for the benefit of a society which had failed to appreciate her worth when it had the chance.  She was the wife now of one of the leading public men of the nation, and in a position to set fashions, not to ask favors.  Nevertheless she chose on the evening before their return to Benham to show herself at dinner at Delmonico’s, just to let the world of so-called fashion perceive her and ask who she was.  There would doubtless be people there who knew her by sight, and who, when they were told that she was now the wife of Governor Lyons, would regret if not be ashamed of their short-sightedness and snobbery.  She wore a striking dress; she encouraged her husband’s willingness to order an elaborate dinner, including champagne (for they were in a champagne country), and she exhibited a sprightly mood, looking about her with a knowing air in observation of the other occupants of the dining-room.

While she was thus engaged the entrance of a party of six, whom the head waiter conducted with a show of attention to a table which had evidently been reserved for them, fettered Selma’s attention.  She stared unable to believe her eyes, then flushed and looked indignant.  Her attention remained rivetted on this party while they laid aside their wraps and seated themselves.  Struck by the annoyed intensity of his wife’s expression, Lyons turned to follow the direction of her gaze.

“What is the matter?” he said.

For a few moments Selma sat silent with compressed lips, intent on her scrutiny.

“It’s an outrage on decency,” she murmured, at last.  “How dare she show herself here and entertain those people?”

“Of whom are you talking, Selma?”

“The Williamses.  Flossy Williams and her husband.  The two couples with them live on Fifth Avenue, and used to be among her exclusive friends.  Her husband has just ordered the dinner.  I saw him give the directions to the waiter.  It is monstrous that they, who only a few months ago failed disgracefully and were supposed to have lost everything, should be going on exactly as if nothing had happened.”