The magnificent supper had just been demolished. Champagne had foamed
without stint, cause and symbol of the increasing but transient
excitement of the occasion. More potent wines and liquors, suggestive
of the stronger and deeper passions that were swaying the mingled
throng, had done their work, and all, save the utterly _blase_,
had secured that noble elevation which it is the province of these
grand social combinations to create. Even Mr. Allen regained his
habitual confidence and elevation as his waist-coat expanded under, or
rather over, those means of cheer and consolation which he had so long
regarded as the best panacea for earthly ills. The oppressive sense of
danger gave place to a consciousness of the warm, rosy present. Mr.
Fox and the custom-house seemed but the ugly phantoms of a past dream.
Was he not the rich Mr. Allen, the owner of this magnificent mansion,
the cornerstone of this superb entertainment? If by reason of wine he
saw a little double, he only saw double homage on every side. He heard
in men's tones, and saw in woman's glances, that any one who could pay
for his surroundings that night was no ordinary person. His wife
looked majestic as she swept through the parlors on the arm of one of
his most distinguished fellow-citizens. Through the library door he
could see Mr. Goulden leaning toward Laura and saying something that
made even her pale face quite peony-like. Edith, exquisite as a moss-
rose, was about to lead off in the German in the large front parlor.
Zell was near him, the sparkling centre of a breezy, merry little
throng that had gathered round her. It seemed that all that he loved
and valued most was grouped around him in the guise most attractive to
his worldly eyes. In this moment of unnatural elation hope whispered,
"To-morrow you can sell your stock, and, instead of failing, increase
your vast fortune, and then away to new scenes, new pleasures, free
from the burden of care and fear." It was at that moment of false
confidence and pride, when in suggestive words descriptive of the