Bernard received an invitation to this reception, and, in company with a fellow lawyer attended.

The reception was held at the residence of a Miss Evangeline Leslie, a member of the circle.
The house was full of guests when Bernard and his friend arrived.

They rang the door bell and a young lady came to the door to receive them.
She was a small, beautifully formed girl with a luxuriant growth of coal black hair that was arranged in such a way as to impart a queenly look to her shapely head.

Her skin was dark brown, tender and smooth in appearance.

A pair of laughing hazel eyes, a nose of the prettiest possible size and shape, and a chin that tapered with the most exquisite beauty made her face the Mecca of all eyes.
Bernard was so struck with the girl's beauty that he did not greet her when she opened the door.