ANOTHER NEW FRIEND The country folk did call upon the Steels, as indeed, they could scarcely fail to do, having called on him already as a bachelor the year before.

Nor were the Uniackes and the Invernesses the bell-wethers of the flock.

Those august families had returned to London for the season; but the taboo half-suggested by Mrs.Venables had begun and ended in her own mind.

Indeed, that potent and diplomatic dame, who was the undoubted leader of society within a four-mile radius of Northborough town hall, was the first to recognize the mistake that she had made, and to behave as though she had never made it.

Quite early in June, the Steels were bidden to a dinner-party in their honor at Upthorpe Hall.
"Mrs.Venables!" cried Rachel, in dismay.