At this time it was understood by nearly all--the Simms, Candas, Cottons, and Kingslands--that a great mistake had been made, and that the Cowperwoods were by no means admissible.
To this particular dinner a number of people, whom the latter knew, had been invited.

Uniformly all, when they learned or recalled that the Cowperwoods were expected, sent eleventh-hour regrets--"so sorry." Outside the Sledds there was only one other couple--the Stanislau Hoecksemas, for whom the Cowperwoods did not particularly care.

It was a dull evening.

Aileen complained of a headache, and they went home.
Very shortly afterward, at a reception given by their neighbors, the Haatstaedts, to which they had long since been invited, there was an evident shyness in regard to them, quite new in its aspect, although the hosts themselves were still friendly enough.

Previous to this, when strangers of prominence had been present at an affair of this kind they were glad to be brought over to the Cowperwoods, who were always conspicuous because of Aileen's beauty.