Just before Lent, and about three months after the death of Vandover's father, Henrietta Vance gave a reception and dance at her house.

The affair was one of a series that the girls of the Cotillon had been giving to the men of the same club.

Vandover had gone to all but the last, which had occurred while he was at Coronado.

He was sure of meeting Geary, young Haight, Turner Ravis, and all the people of his set at these functions, and had always managed to have a very jolly time.

He had been very quiet since his father's death and had hardly gone out at all; in fact, since Ida Wade's death and his trip down the coast he had seen none of his acquaintances except the boys.