“We have acquired a guide-book. Lloyd’s Pocket Companion and Guide through New York City. It contains a number of walks we intend to explore.”

“Walks! Are you not intending to purchase your own carriage?”

“Hansom cabs are more than sufficient for our needs, and I am looking forward to riding on the streetcars,” Margaret said.

“Ha, very good joke.” Mr. McAllister’s laugh was unconvincing. “If your guide-book was written before yesterday, it will be obsolete already, you know. When you’re ready for some up-to-date advice, then I’ll be happy to oblige.”

“Thank you. Now, I am unsure of local conventions, but in England a morning call should not last more than half an hour, so you will excuse us.”

“Very proper,” Mr. McAllister agreed. “I shall tell everyone that I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, and Lina will, too, no doubt. I predict that you will be in danger of drowning in invitations before the week is out.”

“Toad,” Marion said under her breath when they had said their goodbyes and were reclaiming their cloaks.

“I rather thought newt,” Margaret replied with a grim smile. “I have crossed the Atlantic to escape being dictated to. I am seriously tempted to seek out the most unfashionable address in the city, just to ensure that I am never accused of having paid heed to him.”

“I know exactly how you feel, but you will not take a word of advice from me amiss, my dear, will you? Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. It requires little effort to keep a man like Mr. McAllister sweet. Snubbing him might give you fleeting satisfaction, but why make an unnecessary enemy of him? Let him have his say; that is all his vanity requires. Then you may smile and do precisely what you please.”

“Dear Marion, you are so wise. And I promise, I will not ask you to live in a hovel, not even to spite Mr. McAllister.”

New York Herald, Tuesday, 21 January 1868

New York Herald, Tuesday, 21 January 1868

NO BARBARIANS AT THE GATE—MRS. WILLIAM ASTOR’S ANNUAL EXTRAVAGANZA