MRS.

THEODORE KINGFISHER AT HOME.

_On dansera._ Society stared when it beheld Miss Hope Wayne entering the drawing-room of Mrs.Theodore Kingfisher.
"Really, Miss Wayne, I am delighted," said Mrs.Kingfisher, with a smile that might have been made at the same shop with the flowers that nodded over it.
Mrs.Kingfisher's friendship for Miss Wayne and her charming aunt consisted in two pieces of pasteboard, on which was printed, in German text, "Mrs.Theodore Kingfisher, St.John's Square," which she had left during the winter; and her pleasure at seeing her was genuine--not that she expected they would solace each other's souls with friendly intercourse, but that she knew Hope to be a famous beauty who had held herself retired until now at the very end of the season, when she appeared for the first time at her ball.
This reflection secured an unusually ardent reception for Mrs.Dagon, who followed Mrs.Dinks's party, and who, having made her salutation to the hostess, said to Mr.Boniface Newt, her nephew, who accompanied her, "Now I'll go and stand by the pier-glass, so that I can rake the rooms.
And, Boniface, mind, I depend upon your getting me some lobster salad at supper, with plenty of dressing--mind, now, plenty of dressing." Perched like a contemplative vulture by the pier, Mrs.Dagon declined chairs and sofas, but put her eye-glass to her eyes to spy out the land.
She had arrived upon the scene of action early.

She always did.
"I want to see every body come in.

There's a great deal in watching how people speak to each other.