sent out cards for what was known as \"a formal dinner\" (that is, three extra footmen, two dishes for each course, and a Roman punch in the middle), and had headed their invitations with the words \"To meet the Countess Olenska,\" in accordance with the hospitable American fashion, which treats strangers as if they were royalties, or at least as their ambassadors.
The guests had been selected with a boldness and discrimination
sent out cards for what was known as \"a formal dinner\" (that is, three extra footmen, two dishes for each course, and a Roman punch in the middle), and had headed their invitations with the words \"To meet the Countess Olenska,\" in accordance with the hospitable American fashion, which treats strangers as if they were royalties, or at least as their ambassadors.
The guests had been selected with a boldness and discrimination
