"Upper tens," said Jim, decisively. "Not the oldest Tens, but the second batch. Not the old Knickerbocker Vanderhoof, and Vanderhyde, and Vanderhorn set that Washy Irving tells about,--but the modern nobs. Old Van Arsdel does a smashing importing business--is worth his millions--has five girls, all handsome--two out--two more to come out, and one strong-minded sister who has retired from the world, and isn't seen out anywhere. The one you saw was Eva; they say she's to marry Wat Sydney,--the greatest match there is going in New York. How do you say--shall you go, Wednesday?" "Do you know them?" "Oh, yes. Alice Van Arsdel is a splendid girl, and we are good friends, and I look in on them sometimes just to give them the light of my countenance. They are always after me to lead the German in their parties; but I've given that up. Hang it all! it's too steep on a fellow that has to work all day, with no let up, to be kept dancing till daylight with those girls. It don't pay!" "I should think not," said I. "You see," pursued Jim, "these girls have nothing under heaven to do, and when they've danced all night, _they_ go to bed and sleep till eleven or twelve o'clock the next day and get their rest; while we fellows have to be up and in our offices at eight o'clock next morning. The fact is, it may do for once or twice, but it knocks a fellow up pretty fast. It's a bad thing for the fellows; they get to taking wine and brandy and one thing or another to keep up, and the Devil only knows what comes of it." "And are these Van Arsdels in that frivolous set?" said I. "Well, you see they are not really frivolous, either; they are nice girls, well educated, graduated at the Universal Thingumbob College, where they teach girls everything that ever has been heard of, before they are seventeen. And then they have lived in Paris, and lived in Germany, and lived in Italy, and picked up all the languages; so that when they have anything to say they have a choice of four languages to say it in." "And have they anything to say worth hearing in any of the four?" said I. "Well, yes, now, honor bright. There's Alice Van Arsdel: she's ambitious as the devil, but, after all, a good, warm-hearted girl under it--and smart! there's no doubt of that." "And _this_ lady?" said I, fingering the card. "Eva? Well, she's had a great run; she's killing, as they say, and she's pretty--no denying that; and, really, there's a good deal to her,--like the sponge cake at the bottom of the trifle, you know, with a good smart flavor of wine and spice." "And she's engaged to--whom did you say?" "Wat Sydney." "And what sort of a man is he?" "What sort? why, he's a _rich_ man; owns all sorts of things,--gold mines in California, and copper mines in Lake Superior, and salt works, and railroads. In fact, the thing is to say what he doesn't own. Immense head for business,--regular steel-trap to deal with,--has the snap of a pike."