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Chapter 6
Thecompanyindeedwasperfectlyassorted,sinceallthemembersbelongedtothelittleinnergroupofpeoplewho,duringthelongNewYorkseason,disportedthemselvestogetherdailyandnightlywithapparentlyundiminishedzest.Forty-eighthourslatertheunbelievablehadhappened;everyonehadrefusedtheMingotts’invitationexcepttheBeaufortsandoldMr.Jacksonandhissister.TheintendedslightwasemphasisedbythefactthateventheReggieChiverses,whowereoftheMingottclan,wereamongthoseinflictingit;andbytheuniformwordingofthenotes,inallofwhichthewriters"regrettedthattheywereunabletoaccept,"withoutthemitigatingpleaofa"previousengagement"thatordinarycourtesyprescribed.NewYorksocietywas,inthosedays,fartoosmall,andtooscantinitsresources,foreveryoneinit(includinglivery-stable-keepers,butlersandcooks)nottoknowexactlyonwhicheveningspeoplewerefree;anditwasthuspossiblefortherecipientsofMrs.LovellMingott’sinvitationstomakecruellycleartheirdeterminationnottomeettheCountessOlenska.Theblowwasunexpected;buttheMingotts,astheirwaywas,metitgallantly.Mrs.LovellMingottconfidedthecasetoMrs.
