A Woman of Culture, Chapter XII-XIV [pp. 771-801]

790 A WOMAN OF CULTU~E. [Mar.,
ism languished while the shrine remained closed. Society's
stream found a temporary channel, and flowed on less smoothly,
perhaps, but none the less surely and indifferently. Culture,
however, stood at the gates disconsolate. It writhed a little at
sight of a priest entering where it was forbidden to go, and
raged when that familiarity which was denied to it was offered
freely to the upholders of the oldest superstition of modern
times. Its principles forced it to be silent.
There was a general waking of all parties when the cards for
the first reception at McDonell House began to circulate in their
plain, sober envelopes among the privileged of the city. Mrs.
Strachan, happening to call on Olivia the morning after the in vi tations had been issued, gave expression to the public sentime~nt
in her vigorous style.
"Are you going, Miss Olivia?" said she.
"Of course," the sprightly young lady answered. "How
~ could I stay away? ff'r recep~ions are so delightful!"
"It takes but a short time to find that out," said the general.
"I have attended receptions and receptions, and have been jam
med, crushed, heated, flattered, and slandered to my heart's con tent; but the model for such an entertainment is at Miss Mc Donell's. It is like a poem, the harmony and smoothness of
everything. After all, I believe very much in culture, so far as it
does not conflict with settled doctrines."
"And I believe in it so far as it does not conflict with com mon sense, which it offends against quite as often as against reli gion. But do you know, Mrs. Strachan, I am in a nervous state
over my dress, and I want you to look at it. I submitted it to
Harry
"And to Sir Stanley," interrupted the general slyly.
"Certainly," said Miss F~ullerton ~vith serene confidence.
"But these awkward men never know the nice points of a cos tume. If you ask them to look at your train, and tell how it
hangs, they will look at your eyes and answer,`Like stars, to be
sure.'"
"They couldn't say much else," said the general good-huinor
edly; "and you will admit that the gentlemen have great taste
in those matters."
"But not always correct, Mrs. Strachan."
"So says Mr. Strachan when he comments on bis taste in
marrying me. But come, you are going to show me the dress."
They went off to the wardrobe.
The evening of the reception found Olivia paying her re