have been taken cruising on their yachts. They have always been
bully to me, and what have I ever done for them? Nothing. Now that
I can afford it, I am going to return some of those favors and
square myself. Doesn't it sound reasonable?"

And so preparations for Monty's dinner went on. In addition to
what he called his "efficient corps of gentlemanly aids" he had
secured the services of Mrs. Dan DeMille as "social mentor and
utility chaperon." Mrs. DeMille was known in the papers as the
leader of the fast younger married set. She was one of the
cleverest and best-looking young women in town, and her husband
was of those who did not have to be "invited too." Mr. DeMille
lived at the club and visited his home. Some one said that he was
so slow and his wife so fast that when she invited him to dinner
he usually was two or three days late. Altogether Mrs. DeMille was
a decided acquisition to Brewster's campaign committee. It
required just her touch to make his parties fun instead of funny.

It was on October 18th that the dinner was given. With the skill
of a general Mrs. Dan had seated the guests in such a way that
from the beginning things went off with zest. Colonel Drew took in
Mrs. Valentine and his content was assured; Mr. Van Winkle and the
beautiful Miss Valentine were side by side, and no one could say
he looked unhappy; Mr. Cromwell went in with Mrs. Savage; and the
same delicate tact--in some cases it was almost indelicate--was
displayed in the disposition of other guests.

Somehow they had come with the expectation of being bored.
Curiosity prompted them to accept, but it did not prevent the
subsequent inevitable lassitude. Socially Monty Brewster had yet