Invitations to formal dinners and to the opera suddenly ceased, and instead, little family dinners, afternoons in galleries, and evenings at concerts took their place.

Sometimes Lispenard went with them, sometimes one of the Ogden girls, sometimes they went alone.

It was an unusual week when Peter's mail did not now bring at least one little note giving him a chance to see Miss De Voe if he chose.
In February came a request for him to call.

"I want to talk with you about something," it said.

That same evening he was shown into her drawing-rooms.