The Way of Belinda

ealth there was plenty, traditions none, and Mrs. Denbeigh knew the value of traditions; knew, too, they could not be bought, nor were they to be acquired in one generation. Ambitious to found a family name, Mrs. Denbeigh attached the highest importance to a good background, and thus it came about that their life in New York had its beginning in Washington Square. The house selected was the old Ronalds mansion, purchased from Madame Ronalds, who had put it on the market directly after her husband's death. Negotiations for the property were left entirely to Mrs. Denbeigh,whose husband was provokingly indifferent to the matter of residence. Through their brokers she and Madame Ronalds met, which led to an acquaintance, never ripening into friendship?for Madame Ronalds did not make friends of " new " people?yet cordial in its relations, of immense advantage to Mrs. Denbeigh and no small advantage to Madame Ronalds, as that astute woman reasoned, when she decided in a measure to take her up. She did not go to the length of standing Mrs. Denbeigh's social godmother and launching her in her own exclusive set, but occasionally, as the seasons passed, threw her a sop in the way of an invitation to luncheon to meet social luminaries, and was always most thoughtful in allowing her to subscribe liberally to fashionable charities and to buy unlimited tickets for the many and varied entertainments, charitable and otherwise, at which Madame Ronalds figured as patroness. M...