From McKibben, who was in society, and with Lord, another "in"
standing by, this was like wine to Aileen. She beamed joyously.

Among the first arrivals were Mrs. Webster Israels, Mrs. Bradford
Canda, and Mrs. Walter Rysam Cotton, who were to assist in receiving.
These ladies did not know that they were taking their future
reputations for sagacity and discrimination in their hands; they
had been carried away by the show of luxury of Aileen, the growing
financial repute of Cowperwood, and the artistic qualities of the
new house. Mrs. Webster Israels's mouth was of such a peculiar
shape that Aileen was always reminded of a fish; but she was not
utterly homely, and to-day she looked brisk and attractive. Mrs.
Bradford Canda, whose old rose and silver-gray dress made up in
part for an amazing angularity, but who was charming withal, was
the soul of interest, for she believed this to be a very significant
affair. Mrs. Walter Rysam Cotton, a younger woman than either of
the others, had the polish of Vassar life about her, and was "above"
many things. Somehow she half suspected the Cowperwoods might not
do, but they were making strides, and might possibly surpass all
other aspirants. It behooved her to be pleasant.

Life passes from individuality and separateness at times to a sort
of Monticelliesque mood of color, where individuality is nothing,
the glittering totality all. The new house, with its charming
French windows on the ground floor, its heavy bands of stone flowers
and deep-sunk florated door, was soon crowded with a moving,
colorful flow of people.

Many whom Aileen and Cowperwood did not know at all had been invited
by McKibben and Lord; they came, and were now introduced. The