"And—all foreigners of distinction, who may be present in the city."
"Yes, my love."
"We must not forget to invite—"
"Who, my dear?"
"Lord Vincent."
"Humph! Has he called here?"
"He left his card a week ago."
The day succeeding this conversation the cards of invitation to the Merlin ball were issued.
And in ten days the ball came off.
It was—as Miss Merlin had resolved it should be—the most splendid affair of the kind that has ever been seen in Washington, before or since. It cost a small fortune, of course, but it was unsurpassed and unsurpassable. Even to this day it is remembered as the great ball. As Claudia had determined, Vourienne superintended the decorations of the reception, dancing, and supper rooms; Devizac furnished the refreshment, and Dureezie the music. The élite of the city were present. The guests began to assemble at ten o'clock, and by eleven the rooms were crowded.