Another paragraph alluded to Claudia in these terms: 

“The belle of the evening, beyond all competition, was the beautiful Miss M——­n, only daughter and heiress of Judge M——­n, of the Supreme Court.  It will be remembered that the blood of Pocahontas runs in this young beauty’s veins, giving luster to her raven black hair, light to her dusky eyes, fire to her brown cheeks, and majesty and grace to all her movements.  She is truly an Indian princess.”

“Well!” said Mr. Middleton, laying down the paper, “I agree with Bee.  It is really too bad to be trotted out in this way, and have all your points indicated, and then be dubbed with a fancy name besides.  Why, Miss Merlin, they will call you the ‘Indian’ Princess’ to the end of time, or of your Washington campaign.”

Claudia tossed her head.

“What odds?” she asked.  “I am rather proud to be of the royal lineage of Powhatan.  They may call me Indian princess, if they like.  I will accept the title.”

“Until you get a more legitimate one!” laughed Mr. Middleton.

“Until I get a more legitimate one,” assented Claudia.

“But I will see McQuill, the reporter of the ‘Journal,’ and ask him as a particular favor to leave my daughter’s name out of his next balloon full of gas!” laughed the judge, as he arose from the table.

The other members of the family followed.  And each went about his or her own particular business.  This day being the next following the first appearance of Miss Merlin in society, was passed quietly in the family.

The next day, being Sunday, they all attended church.

But on Monday a continual stream of visitors arrived, and a great number of cards were left at Judge Merlin’s door.

In the course of a week Claudia returned all these calls, and thus she was fairly launched into fashionable life.

She received numerous invitations to dinners, evening parties, and balls; but all these she civilly excused herself from attending; for it was her whim to give a large party before going to any.  To this end, she forced her Aunt Middleton to issue cards and make preparations on a grand scale for a very magnificent ball.

“It must eclipse everything else that has been done, or can be done, this season!” said Claudia.

“Humph!” answered Mrs. Middleton.

“We must have Dureezie’s celebrated band for the music, you know!”

“My dear, he charges a thousand dollars a night to leave New York and play for anyone!”

“Well? what if it were two thousand—­ten thousand?  I will have him.  Tell Ishmael to write to him at once.”

“Very well, my dear.  You are spending your own money, remember.”

“Who cares?  I will be the only one who engages Dureezie’s famous music.  And, Aunt Middleton?”

“Well, my dear?”

“Vourienne must decorate the rooms.”

“My dear, his charges are enormous.”