It was her recent acquaintance with the people from the city that lifted her into special prominence and surrounded her death with more than ordinary importance.

Every one in the Rectangle knew that Loreen was at this moment lying in the Page mansion up on the avenue.
Exaggerated reports of the magnificence of the casket had already furnished material for eager gossip.

The Rectangle was excited to know the details of the funeral.

Would it be public?
What did Miss Page intend to do?
The Rectangle had never before mingled even in this distant personal manner with the aristocracy on the boulevard.
The opportunities for doing so were not frequent.

Gray and his wife were besieged by inquirers who wanted to know what Loreen's friends and acquaintances were expected to do in paying their last respects to her.