All these labours had made Mrs. de Graffenried a tremendous power in the social world.  She had a savage tongue, said Mrs. Vivie, and every one lived in terror of her; but once in a while she met her match.  Once she had invited a comic opera star to sing for her guests, and all the men had crowded round this actress, and Mrs. de Graffenried had flown into a passion and tried to drive them away; and the actress, lolling back in her chair, and gazing up idly at Mrs. do Graffenried, had drawled, “Ten years older than God!” Poor Mrs. de Graffenried would carry that saying with her until she died.

Something reminiscent of this came under Montague’s notice that same evening.  At about four o’clock Mrs. Vivie wished to go home, and asked him to find her escort, the Count St. Elmo de Champignon—­the man, by the way, for whom her husband was gunning.  Montague roamed all about the house, and finally went downstairs, where a room had been set apart for the theatrical company to partake of refreshments.  Mrs. de Graffenriod’s secretary was on guard at the door; but some of the boys had got into the room, and were drinking champagne and “making dates” with the chorus-girls.  And here was Mrs. de Graffenried herself, pushing them bodily out of the room, a score and more of them—­and among them Mrs. Vivie’s Count!

Montague delivered his message, and then went upstairs to wait until his own party should be ready to leave.  In the smoking-room were a number of men, also waiting; and among them he noticed Major Venable, in conversation with a man whom he did not know.  “Come over here,” the Major called; and Montague obeyed, at the same time noticing the stranger.

He was a tall, loose-jointed, powerfully built man, a small head and a very striking face:  a grim mouth with drooping corners tightly set, and a hawk-like nose, and deep-set, peering eyes.  “Have you met Mr. Hegan?” said the Major.  “Hegan, this is Mr. Allan Montague.”  Jim Hegan!  Montague repressed a stare and took the chair which they offered him.  “Have a cigar,” said Hegan, holding out his case.

“Mr. Montague has just come to New York,” said the Major.  “He is a Southerner, too.”

“Indeed?” said Hegan, and inquired what State he came from.  Montague replied, and added, “I had the pleasure of meeting your daughter last week, at the Horse Show.”

That served to start a conversation; for Hegan came from Texas, and when he found that Montague knew about horses—­real horses—­he warmed to him.  Then the Major’s party called him away, and the other two were left to carry on the conversation.