and Reval had sent home the first of Alice's street gowns,
elaborately plain, but fitting her conspicuously, and costing
accordingly. So the next morning they were ready to be taken to call
upon Mrs. Devon.

Of course Montague had heard of the Devons, but he was not
sufficiently initiated to comprehend just what it meant to be asked
to call. But when Oliver came in, a little before noon, and
proceeded to examine his costume and to put him to rights, and
insisted that Alice should have her hair done over, he began to
realize that this was a special occasion. Oliver was in quite a
state of excitement; and after they had left the hotel, and were
driving up the Avenue, he explained to them that their future in
Society depended upon the outcome of this visit. Calling upon Mrs.
Devon, it seemed, was the American equivalent to being presented at
court. For twenty-five years this grand lady had been the undisputed
mistress of the Society of the metropolis; and if she liked them,
they would be invited to her annual ball, which took place in
January, and then for ever after their position would be assured.
Mrs. Devon's ball was the one great event of the social year; about
one thousand people were asked, while ten thousand disappointed ones
gnashed their teeth in outer darkness.

All of which threw Alice into a state of trepidation.

"Suppose we don't suit her!" she said.

To that the other replied that their way had been made smooth by
Reggie Mann, who was one of Mrs. Devon's favourites.