I was just telling Mr.Lord here that I consider the house a triumph." From McKibben, who was in society, and with Lord, another "in" standing by, this was like wine to Aileen.

She beamed joyously.
Among the first arrivals were Mrs.Webster Israels, Mrs.Bradford Canda, and Mrs.Walter Rysam Cotton, who were to assist in receiving.
These ladies did not know that they were taking their future reputations for sagacity and discrimination in their hands; they had been carried away by the show of luxury of Aileen, the growing financial repute of Cowperwood, and the artistic qualities of the new house.

Mrs.Webster Israels's mouth was of such a peculiar shape that Aileen was always reminded of a fish; but she was not utterly homely, and to-day she looked brisk and attractive.

Mrs.Bradford Canda, whose old rose and silver-gray dress made up in part for an amazing angularity, but who was charming withal, was the soul of interest, for she believed this to be a very significant affair.

Mrs.Walter Rysam Cotton, a younger woman than either of the others, had the polish of Vassar life about her, and was "above" many things.