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Mrs. Norman colored and looked uneasily at Ethel Danielson.

Mrs. Danielson eyed Mrs. Norman uncomfortably. Each seemed to hear a fearless echo of her own secret reasoning.

“Besides,” continued Elise, smiling honestly, “you know you each meant to come all the time, only you won’t admit it.”

For an instant there was an awkward pause, then Mrs. Norman laughed in chagrined amusement.

“Well, we won’t discuss it now,” she said; “run along up and leave your wraps–both of you–and I’ll wait for you. We will go in together.”

A few seconds later they were approaching their hostess with outstretched hands.

“My dear Mrs. Christy,” cooed Mrs. Norman, “so good of you to include me among your guests! I know how many friends you have and one can’t invite them all.”

Mrs. Christy took the extended hand murmuring:

“So nice of you to come with your chaos of engagements! Mrs. Danielson, too!”

“I was delighted to have you think of me, Mrs. Christy,” Mrs. Danielson returned effusively, “and you may be sure yours was the only invitation I considered for this afternoon–I let all the others go.”

Elise Thayer followed with:

“Mrs. Christy, I’ve so anticipated to-day! I adore bridge and to have the pleasure of being one of your guests made it additionally delightful.”

The three moved on and glanced over the rapidly crowding rooms.

“Really,” whispered Mrs. Norman, “everybody is here. I’m amazed! There are the Baring De Wolfs and the Wilson Delafields and Mrs. Morgan Knickerbocker. You know how exclusive they are! And there is Mrs. Cecil Jerome! I saw her yesterday and she never said a word about coming.”

“Let’s go and speak to her a moment before they sit down to play,” suggested Ethel Danielson.

As they drifted in and out of the gathering assembly, varied snatches of conversation reached them:

“Beautiful house, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but overloaded–like the owner’s hats! She is awfully bothered about getting hats, she told me, and recently a French milliner begged to see ‘WHAT SHE COULD DO WITH HER.’ Judging from the hat Mrs. Christy wore at the St. Regis the other day, I guess the woman found out! Any milliner who can get a patron to step out of the solitude of her boudoir in such a concoction must have convinced herself that she can do ANYTHING with her!”

“I don’t think much of her gown,” murmured another, “hideously unbecoming!”

“I hope we shall not run into any of those people who ‘TAKE A HAND JUST TO ACCOMMODATE!'” chimed another. “I think there ought to be a law prohibiting women who haven’t taken lessons in the game, going to parties and helping lose other people’s money for them.”

“I hate to play with either of those Hartwells–they simply blow your head off after every hand; they haven’t any manners!” put in a blond in a creation of blue chiffon and silver.

“That girl in white over there ought to be ruled out!” said another guest. “She is that artist visiting the Hollingsworths. She made it HEARTS when I played with her once, ‘so to lose as little as possible,’ she said.”

The calling of the game cut short further comments.

The company was seated, the hands dealt, and the great bridge party was at last really under way.

“Are they starting? I hope people won’t talk–I don’t think it’s fair. Is it my make? I haven’t a thing! I’ll pass it. CLUBS! Heavens! I could have done better than that myself! What on earth did you have in your hand? I don’t care what Elwell says–I don’t think that’s enough; of course we couldn’t make it on that hand! It seems a shame to THROW points away. I am NOT angry–do you think I mind a few dollars? it’s only so unnecessary! How many hands do we have to play with each partner? I never said I wanted to get rid of you. No, it’s NOT the same thing–I simply asked!”

So the game went on!

Flushed cheeks and glistening eyes were the only indications that much was at stake; social veneer concealed the real anxiety of the players, but a hush of nervous tension pervaded the room. It was a relief when the last hand was concluded. Everyone crowded around the table where the beautiful prizes were displayed and where the scores were read.