New-York tribune., 1897-01-31
MISS BELMONT INVITES ROYALTY.

She began her preparations in earn est. End very
soon London knew that "old Miss Beln mtg
house was 10 be the scene of royal reVelry.
Mrs Maddenham sent out all the invit atoms. for
IL was 10 he a select" party-a submitted' list.
including some of the most noted OF the iasnIoh-
able beauties and otherwise ripping women.
Runoors OF the royal condescension about TO ne
extended TO Jane reached Ashleigh- int -the-Dell,
and excited spleen and envy in the gentle breasts
of the Squire's lady and the Squres fair daush-
ters
The expected evening came at last and lane In
a gentle flutter Of loyal excitement and anxiety,
went TO take last look round her rooms now
that all was in readiness for the reception ol @ n@er
royal guests. Every thing was arranged WIN
taste and luxury; no expense had been spared
and the supper-room. with its palms ma ilo"cfs
and separate little tables. lit by the electric gnt
was a scene Of fairy-likc spendor. The members
of renowned French orchestra were stationed
in the conservatory, ready to begin at the signai
of Mrs. Maddenham, and Mrs. Maddenham her
self gorgeously attired and ornamented after the
style OF a jewellers window with diamonds. was
giving her final instructions to the powdered
nunkeys and their attendants. Seeing Jane sud-
denly appear beside her. she frowned.
oh do 20 away, my dear. she said. querul-
ousIy There is no reason for you TO be down
here | tell the servants all they have To DO.
Your place is in the drawing-room. You must
receive the people they arrive. you Know.
Jane hesitated her fine. worn face growing
somewhat pale and Mrs. Maddenham, looking at
rea,orse rem pricking hcr soul, for James grand
manner had never been so much in
evidence as it was that night The
dress she wore enhanced it. being Of rich
lilac satin showered with old ace-and the way
In which she had arranged her hair, lifting its
soft gray waves slightly off her forenead' gave
her an expression Of dignity and grace which
caused Mrs Maddenham to seem beside her. not
wthstanding her diamonds, mere artificial
female humbug.
What are you waiting for?' said Mrs. Madden
ham, almost sharply. Wv ny don you go INTO Inc
drawing room?
II wished to see if everything all right"
responded Jane mildly After all. am respon-
sbe for the affair: am the mistress of my own
house. And | hope you will come with me INTO
the drawing-room to help me receive. because you
know the people you have asked, and do not"
You know some OF them" said Mrs Madden
ham. 1T is only the royal set you are not in
Without will try and get YOU in II / can; only
you know ii is rather dif'icult'-
Difficult" echoed Jane. with a great sur
prise reflected IN her placid face. But they are
coming 10 see me. are they not?'
Mrs. Maddenham grew suddenly red In the face
and was troubled with tickling in her throat
which caused her to cough considerably. What a
fool Jane was be sure. she mentally consid-
cred The idea OF her expecting that the royal
set were actually coming to her. 1t was
enough to make 'swagger' persons laugh them
selves into convulson-hts But II was no use
saying anything to Jane: Jane would never COM
prehend that she ought to be greatly honored to
have her house turned into kind Of restaur AIT
for the entertainment OF great people and that
she ought to be proud and glad II the said great"
people ate and drank Of what she provided with
out either a How d'y do o. Thank you TO
their hostess. She would never understand;
swagger' society and Its ways were altogether
beyond Jane.
Between 10 and II o'clock the company began
TO arrive. and Jane standing with Mrs. Madden
ham. at the head OF her stately staircase. which
was decorated for the occasion with the rarest
palms and exotics. awaited with a somewhat
beating heart the approach OF the" guests Of
the evening They were late In coming; but 10
make amends for their delay the Select COM
pany invited to meet them nocked into the rooms
spreading themselves in loose and familiar fash
ION all over the place. as II II belonged to them.
ana paving very little heed 20 either Jane or Mrs
Maddenham Though the first arrivals. who
happened. by the excellent management OF Mrs
Maddenham to be certain respectable old fogIes
who had met Jane before. greeted their hostess