Mr.Schoonmaker made a hobby of old Bibles, and Mrs.Schoonmaker of old lace.

The two hobbies combined gave a mingled air of erudition and gentility to the pair that was quite impressive, while their unquestionably good descent was a source of social capital to all of humbler origin who were fortunate enough to draw them to their tables.
Next came the Tunbridges.

Mr.Tunbridge was the president of a bank, and Mrs.Tunbridge was the president of Mr.Tunbridge--a large, billowy woman, who "brought him his money," according to the speech of the town.
Mr.Tunbridge had managed his trust with great skill, and was glad at any time, and at any social sacrifice, to be brought into contact with men who carried large deposit accounts.
Next in order were Mr.and Mrs.Cavendish.

Mr.Cavendish was a lawyer--a hook-nosed, hawk-eyed man, who knew a little more about everything than anybody else did, and was celebrated in the city for successfully managing the most intractable cases, and securing the most princely fees.

If a rich criminal were brought into straits before the law, he always sent for Mr.Cavendish.If the unprincipled managers of a great corporation wished to ascertain just how closely before the wind they could sail without being swamped, they consulted Mr.Cavendish.He was everywhere accounted a great lawyer by those who estimated acuteness to be above astuteness, strategy better than an open and fair fight, and success more to be desired than justice.
It would weary the reader to go through with a description of Mrs.
Talbot's dinner party in advance.