EXTRACT FOR
Legal Ease
(Author Unknown)

      Edmond Chivington the third was looking, no, staring into the stern gaze of Edmond Chivington the second. The younger man's return stare was a quizzical look, just slightly more expressive than the blank look that had preceded it. "I said Edmond, your mother and I have given this a lot of thought and we believe Elaine Stinson would be a perfect match for you." 

      Edmond Chivington the third wasn't so sure about that. He stalled for a few moments by sipping the excellent Cognac that his father was so fond of. "But sir, apart from the fact I barely know the girl, isn't she rather plain?"

      "Rubbish! What the hell do looks have to do with anything? She is from an excellent family and what is more she has an impeccable reputation." Edmond Chivington the third riley thought to himself that impeccable reputation probably meant she'd never been mounted and taken but he refrained from making such a caustic comment. Instead he judiciously said nothing. His father went on. "We're very proud of you, Edmond. You're a member of the bar and a junior partner in Bates, Addison, Thornton and Huxley. Why even Henry Adams had a good word to say about you and young man, that most assuredly is saying something."

      Son Edmond drank a bit more deeply. "I happened to like his history class when I was in college is all. It's a shame about his wife."

      "Yes, quite tragic actually. I understand he hired Saint Godins to design the burial monument."

      "Money seems to speak loudly." The junior Chivington replied, looking into his empty glass. The problem with good cognac was that it disappeared so quickly. 

      Edmond the second returned to the topic at hand. "I will expect you to attend Edwina's garden party next Saturday at four. You of course will escort Elaine Stinson so that all the proper introductions can be made."

      Edmond the third had the feeling that sentence had been passed. There was no appeal, no discussion, no possibility of retreat. It was if the entire affair was mapped out like some battle plan on U.S. Grant's strategy table. 

***

      Edwina Ballister was the daughter of some minor railroad baron. Her upper crust gatherings were considered to be THE place to be in greater Boston. Her social events were the encrusted jewels that brightened many evenings during the high point of the gilded age. She hired the finest musicians, her selection of hors-d'oeuvres and wines were of the highest quality and her guests were of the most elevated social strata. That of course meant that she catered to the new American aristocracy, the aristocracy of wealth. 

      Edmond met Elaine at her residence about an hour before the grand Ballister party was to commence. It was understood that it was accepted proper Bostonian etiquette that a guest had to be on time. You could be a few minutes early but to attend such a function more than five minutes late was considered an insult. To be invited to such an event and not to notify the host if attendance was impossible would invite social ostracisation

      His escort could have looked worse. Elaine was not slender and not fat. Her excessive modesty was superseded only by her pale, lack luster face. Her brown hair was attractively prepared but it did little to uplift the bored expression that filled her hazel eyes. Her external deportment was condescendingly cool and completely uninspiring as she extended her white gloved hand for his clasp and subservient bow.

      "You must be young Chivington. I do hope you enjoy Ballister's get together. She really is the rage these days don't you know." It wasn't a question but a statement of accepted fact.

      Edmond shivered inside. How in heaven's name could his father seriously consider this cool creature? Even her full length pale rose dress seemed to proclaim her untouchability. Well perhaps it was just the first impression. He was a fair enough minded man to acknowledge that this first meeting might not tell the entire story but deep down inside, he doubted it. He helped her ascend the carriage and minutes later they were at the impressive Victorian mansion of Emmit K. Ballister. There'd been but a few polite words between them during this brief journey.

      Once the in house staff had taken their carriage and horse in hand, the new couple entered the house of Ballister as if entering a royal domain. A very tall, thick chested butler who looked more like a sergeant major took his walking stick and Elaine's walnut brown cape and placed them on a large table apparently set up for that purpose.

      "My card sir." Edmond handed the butler a business card with his name along with the title boldly announcing that this was a member of that prestigious law firm, Bates, Addison, Thornton and Huxley.

      "Very good sir. Please be so kind as to go through that door. Lady Edwina will greet you in the formal parlor."

      A few moments later, lady Edwina swirled over to Edmond and Elaine. Edwina Ballister was trimmed out to the limit. She wore the most current Parisian fashion in an eye catching pale yellow gown. Her jewels sparkled in the very bright gas light. She exuded charm, exquisite manners and the epitome of excellent taste. 

      "Elaine darling, how enchanting you look tonight dear." Edwina pronounced dear without the r, proud of her upper crust Bostonian accent which precluded the pronunciation of the vulgar r, especially when that letter was at the end of a word. "And who is THIS delectable looking creature?" Edwina was looking right at him with her catty green eyes and artificial smile.

      Elaine's voice was boredom personified. "Oh Edwina this is the banker's son, young Chivington. Daddy insisted that I attend your fabulous function with this lawyer's clerk."

      Edmond was fuming. He was a lawyer in good standing with one of the most prestigious law firms in the entire God damned state! He wasn't a bloody clerk! Edmond instantly became defensively formal. "Your servant mum. I'm a junior partner at Bates, Addison, Thornton and Huxley. Your butler has my card." Young Chivington as he was getting tired of being called bowed stiffly while glaring into those sardonic green eyes. 

      Edwina smirked but the smile never reached her appraising stare. Her hair was also brown but a darker shade then his escort's hair coloring. "My, my, my! It would seem we have a fire brand here. Why don't you two sit over here? We'll be going out to the garden presently. Oh dear, I've got to greet more guests. Make yourselves comfortable both."

      The next three hours were the most boring hours Edmond had ever spent at any social event bar none. He was used to long, upscale dinner parties. God knows he'd had to play host at many of his father's social events. Edmond Chivington the second was an influential banker and Edmond understood that his father was expected to wine and dine his top clients. That was fine. That was business. But this? He had to sit with some simpering, supercilious holier than thou personage who only seemed to be able to discuss the pedigree of all the other guests. At one moment she was harping about Henry Cabot Lodge and another she was expounding the parentage of John Peabody. Jim Andrew, son of the former governor was there, ostensibly begging for votes in his next bid for the senate. There was the inevitable Endicott and Winthrop and even Charles Francis Adams made an appearance. On and on it went with name after delineated name while his own presence was ignored as much as possible and yet still to be tolerated within the bounds of proper etiquette. Anytime one of these lofty personalities engaged in conversation it was initially with Elaine and not him. He was an invisible nobody among Boston's rich and famous. 

      From time to time he would refill her glass with punch or bring her another hors-d'oeuvre which only procured the briefest thanks or a nod for his trouble. 

      When he finally returned to his own apartment he just collapsed on his chesterfield and moaned, "Thank God that's done! Christ!"