Chapter 12

           Old-fashionedNewYorkdinedatseven,andthehabitofafter-dinnercalls,thoughderidedinArcher’sset,stillgenerallyprevailed.AstheyoungmanstrolledupFifthAvenuefromWaverleyPlace,thelongthoroughfarewasdesertedbutforagroupofcarriagesstandingbeforetheReggieChiverses’(wheretherewasadinnerfortheDuke),andtheoccasionalfigureofanelderlygentlemaninheavyovercoatandmufflerascendingabrownstonedoorstepanddisappearingintoagas-lithall.Thus,asArchercrossedWashingtonSquare,heremarkedthatoldMr.duLacwascallingonhiscousinstheDagonets,andturningdownthecornerofWestTenthStreethesawMr.Skipworth,ofhisownfirm,obviouslyboundonavisittotheMissLannings.AlittlefartherupFifthAvenue,Beaufortappearedonhisdoorstep,darklyprojectedagainstablazeoflight,descendedtohisprivatebrougham,androlledawaytoamysteriousandprobablyunmentionabledestination.ItwasnotanOperanight,andnoonewasgivingaparty,sothatBeaufort’soutingwasundoubtedlyofaclandestinenature.ArcherconnecteditinhismindwithalittlehousebeyondLexingtonAvenueinwhichberibbonedwindowcurtainsandflower-boxeshadrecentlyappeared,andbeforewhosenewlypainteddoorthecanary-colouredbroughamofMissFannyRingwasfrequentlyseentowait.BeyondthesmallandslipperypyramidwhichcomposedMrs.Archer’sworldlaythealmostunmappedquarterinhabitedbyartists,musiciansand"peoplewhowrote."Thesescatteredfragmentsofhumanityhadnevershownanydesiretobeamalgamatedwiththesocialstructure.