Now he was determined that there should be no quarrelling to-day. It is only fair to Nigel to say that he was always quite determined to keep away the quarrels; and fought against them. Placed as they were, with such infinitely more possibilities of happiness than nine _menages_ out of ten--though leaving out unfortunately one, and that the most important part--love--it was terrible that they should quarrel. He was so easy-going, so ready to ignore her faults, to make the best of things as they were. And she liked to quarrel, merely because it made her, for the time, of importance to him. In fact, being madly in love with him, and both wildly and stupidly jealous, to get up a quarrel was almost the only satisfaction she ever had, the only effect she ever produced now. Since the other evening, when she had behaved with entire want of self-control, or, perhaps, rather with a kind of instinctive premeditated hysteria, she appeared to recognise that manner had not been a real success. She had tried, at all costs, to prevent him going to the theatre, and had failed. The next day they ignored the trouble; and for some time afterwards she seemed pleasanter, while he was kind and attentive, believing she had really forgotten her grievance. On the contrary, it was more firmly fixed in her mind than before. She was absolutely determined that, on no excuse whatever, should he continue to see Bertha Kellynch. She had found out that the host of the evening at the ballet had been Rupert Denison, and that Madeline Irwin, Bertha and Nigel were the guests. For more than a week Mary had entirely given up the quarrelsome and nagging mood, so that Nigel believed she no longer had this absurd fancy about Bertha. As a matter of fact, for the first time, she had really been dissembling, had spent a good deal of time and money in finding out how both Bertha and Nigel spent their time. What little she had found out had given her an entirely false impression, and that had resulted in a very desperate determination. She meant to carry it out this morning. But she wanted to talk a little more to Nigel first. "Nigel dear, you know what you said the other evening about giving parties?" "Yes." "I've been thinking, perhaps, dear, you're right. I find I've dropped nearly all your old friends. I think we'd better give one big party--a reception, I think. Our drawing-room has never been seen yet." Nigel looked up, really pleased to see her taking a more normal sort of interest in her existence. "By Jove! I am glad. That's capital! Yes, of course. To start with we'll give an At Home, as they call 'em." "Do you think there ought to be any sort of entertainment, Nigel?" "Well, just as you like. You said you didn't want music. ... How would it be to have a band to play the whole evening?"