THE DINNER The dinner at the Casserols' was given to those of the bride's friends who had been conspicuous in the day's festivities.

Shelton found himself between Miss Casserol and a lady undressed to much the same degree.
Opposite sat a man with a single diamond stud, a white waistcoat, black moustache, and hawk-like face.

This was, in fact, one of those interesting houses occupied by people of the upper middle class who have imbibed a taste for smart society.

Its inhabitants, by nature acquisitive and cautious, economical, tenacious, had learnt to worship the word "smart." The result was a kind of heavy froth, an air of thoroughly domestic vice.

In addition to the conventionally fast, Shelton had met there one or two ladies, who, having been divorced, or having yet to be, still maintained their position in "society." Divorced ladies who did not so maintain their place were never to be found, for the Casserols had a great respect for marriage.