CHAPTER XIX.--_In New York._
Cards for Mrs. Mechlin's ball, on the 27th of December, had been out fortwo or three days, when, on the 20th of that same month andyear--1873--Clarence arrived at the American metropolis. He was in ahigh state of excitement. He could scarcely repress his impatience tosee Mercedes, and yet he exerted sufficient self-control to go first toTiffany and purchase the finest diamond ring in the establishment. Heeven was patient enough to wait until the diamond which he selected wasreset in a ring from which an emerald was removed. When the exchange wasmade and the jewel paid for, he told the driver to hasten to Mr.Mechlin's house.
George and his uncle had just come from their office when Clarencearrived, so he met them in the hall as he entered. George presented himto his uncle, and the three walked into the library. The cordial mannerin which Clarence was received by Mr. Mechlin, demonstrated clearly howfavorably this gentleman was impressed.
After conversing with him, while George went to carry the news of hisarrival up-stairs, Mr. Mechlin, when George returned, invited him todine with them, saying:
"I feel as if you were not quite a stranger to us, having heard Georgespeak of you so often, and always most kindly."
Clarence hesitated, but George insisted, and he remained. Then the twofriends sat down to chat while the ladies came down. In a few minutesClarence had given a synopsis of home news.
"And what about mining news?" George asked.
"Splendid," was the reply.
And Clarence quickly told him how rich his mines had turned out, and howhe had already sold six hundred thousand dollars' worth of ore, and hadan offer of one million dollars for the mines, but the Haverly brothersadvised him not to sell. That he thought of putting up crushing mills inthe spring.
Mr. Mechlin went into his wife's room without knocking--an omissionindicative of great pre-occupation of mind--and his words proved that tobe the case.
"But that young fellow is splendid, wife."
"What young fellow?"
"That young Darrell, from California."
"Ah! where did you see him?"
"Down stairs. He is talking with George in the library, and I asked himto take dinner with us."
"He might be splendid--but never superior to Bob Gunther--never!" saidMrs. Mechlin, with firmness.
"Perhaps not superior, mentally or morally, but he is certainly muchhandsomer."
"Handsomer than Bob? The idea!"
"You wait until you see him," said Mr. Mechlin, going into his room toget ready for dinner.
If Mercedes' hands had not trembled so much she would have been ready tocome down stairs much sooner.
"If you had accepted aunt's offer to get you a maid you would not laborunder so many difficulties," said Elvira, coming into Mercedes' room asshe was going down stairs. "You have never dressed yourself without someone to help you at home, whether it was my squaw, your squaw, ormamma's, or the other girls, or whether it was your own MadameHalier--you always had an attendant."
"That is so," Mercedes said, ready to cry. "I am so utterly uselesswhen--when--sometimes--but how could I accept a maid? It would have beenan extravagance after the many dresses and other things bought for me. Icouldn't."
"I wish I had thought of sending my maid to help you," said Elvira,coming to Mercedes' assistance.
"I wish so, too, now; but I didn't think I wanted her, as Mrs. Mechlin'smaid had dressed my hair. What I dread is that your aunt will be presentwhen I meet him, and--and as she don't like him--"
"Nonsense. She likes Bob Gunther, that's all. But she will not go downbefore we do if she knows Clarence is here. She will give you time tomeet him first."
With Elvira's assistance Mercedes at last was ready, and with tremblingknees, which scarcely supported her light weight, she managed to walkdown stairs.
"Don't run so fast, dear. I want you by me," said she.
"Take my arm, old lady," said Elvira, laughing.
The rustle of silk approaching put Clarence in a tremor--making himforget what he was saying.
Elvira entered, and he rose to meet her.
"I must salute you Spanish fashion," she said, embracing him.
"Where is pussy?" said George, going towards the door, but as the trainof Elvira's dress lay in his way, he looked down and pushed it aside.
Mercedes, who had remained behind the door, saw him do so, and burst outlaughing, for it seemed to her as if George was expecting to find pussyentangled in Elvira's train.
"Here she is, laughing at me," said George, taking her arm.
She looked so lovely, that Clarence stood looking at her in silence, noteven taking a step to meet her.
"Mr. Darrell, I am very glad to see you," she said, still laughing, allher fear and trembling having left her. She extended her hand to himwith perfect composure.
Elvira looked at her surprised. She herself was surprised at her suddenand perfect calmness. Because George made her laugh looking for _pussy_in Elvira's train, she lost all her fear.
"This is a step from the sublime to the ridiculous," she said toherself, as she became of a sudden philosophically calm.
When she explained what had made her laugh, all joined her, rememberingthat it had indeed seemed as if George was looking for some small objecthidden in the ruffles of Elvira's train.
Those rosy lips and pearly teeth looked so sweet, and the little dimplesso charming when she laughed, that Clarence would have been satisfied toremain there looking at them for an indefinite length of time withoutsaying anything, only holding her hand in his, and looking into hereyes. But other people were not so entranced, and as now Mr. and Mrs.Mechlin came in, all proceeded to the dining-room, after George hadpresented him to his aunt.
Mrs. Mechlin was a little cold in her manner at first, thinking thatsurely Bob must give up all hopes. But being a very courteous hostess,her manner soon became affable, she engaged Clarence in conversation,asking him about fruit-raising in California, and about thosewonderfully rich mines, which had given so many millions to the world.Mr. Mechlin also became much interested in what Clarence had to say.Before dinner was over, Mercedes had the pleasure of seeing that Mr. andMrs. Mechlin were more than favorably impressed with her intended.
After dinner many callers began to arrive. Clarence had not spoken aword yet to Mercedes alone. He followed her with his eyes andwatched--without seeming too watchful--for an opportunity of speaking toher without being overheard.
At last the desired moment came, and he was able to whisper a few words.
She blushed as she replied: "Perhaps not this evening--there are so manyhere."
"I brought you the ring which you told me I was not to send but _bring_in person."
"Bring it to-morrow," she said, with deeper blush.
"At what time?"
"Perhaps between ten and eleven."
Clarence returned to Elvira's side, and had to console himself withstudying how Mercedes could have become more beautiful when it hadseemed that it would be impossible for any human being to be moreperfect.
He was deliciously occupied in pondering upon this problem when ices andcakes, tea and coffee were served by two waiters, in white gloves, andvery irreproachable manners, and now Clarence could have the happinessof taking his ice cream beside Mercedes.
Next day, at half-past ten exactly, Clarence ran up the steps of theMechlin mansion. He gave his card to the servant for Miss Alamar, andasked for no one else, but Elvira came from the library as she heard hisvoice.
"Aunt and myself are going to attend to some shopping. You will stay toluncheon, won't you? Aunt requests it. I am glad she likes you."
"I am truly grateful to her, and much pleased, indeed. But I shall bemaking a very long call if I wait. I shall go and return at one--hadn'tI better?"
"If you have anything else to do this morning, of course, go and return.We lunch at one."
"I have nothing on earth to do but to see you people and wait on you. Ihope you won't get tired of me. I was in hopes y
ou two would go with meto see some very pretty things at Tiffany's."
"We are going there now. I promised aunt to go with her. Mercedes and I,you mean, I suppose, can go with you to-morrow?"
Mrs. Mechlin now came down stairs, and Clarence waited on them to theircarriage.
As he closed the carriage door Mrs. Mechlin said: "Elvira has told youwe shall expect you to luncheon."
"Yes, madam; thank you," said he, bowing.
The carriage drove off, and Mrs. Mechlin said: "He is certainly veryhandsome. I am sorry for Bob."
When Clarence returned he met Mercedes in the hall. She was evidentlyfrightened, and so was he, but soon rallied as he followed her into thelibrary.
"Tell me more about home, now that we are alone," said she, pushing achair for him, and occupying another on the opposite side of thefire-place, with a graceful affability, which reminded him of hisinterview with Dona Josefa on the veranda at the rancho.
He understood by her manner and the position of the chairs, which hadhigh backs and high arms, that the interview was to be very formal, andso he took his seat accordingly--far off and demurely.
"Where shall I begin?" said he, with mock gravity.
"Anywhere--at the top with papa, or at the bottom with Tisha. It willall be interesting."
"Can't I begin at the middle, for instance, with myself?"
"Yes; but you are here--I see you."
"Do you? At this distance? Don't you want a telescope?"
"You are near enough," she said, laughing.
"I can't talk of anybody but you. What is the use of putting me in thischair like a bad child that must be punished by being roasted alive!"
"Are you too near the fire?"
"And too far from you," said he, rising, and going to sit on a sofa, atthe other end of the room. She kept her seat by the fire-place. "Pleasecome here. I have so much to say to you. It will give me a headache tosit so near the fire."
She arose, walked over to where he was, and sat on another arm-chairnearest to the sofa.
"Let us freeze at this end of the room," she said.
"Are you cold? If you are, let us go back to the fire."
She did look a little cold, with her pretty little hands calmly foldedon her lap, but she smiled.
He drew a low seat close to hers, and took the soft hands into his,saying in beseeching accents:
"Let me sit by you, please. After so many weary months of absence grantme this happiness. You told me not to send but _bring_ our engagementring. Here it is. Let me put it on the dear little finger myself."
So saying he put the ring on, and covered the hand with kisses.Mercedes' face was suffused with blushes, and she did not dare look atthe ring.
"I have been longing for this moment of bliss, Mercedes, my own, myprecious. You are pledged to me now. Look at me, my sweet wife!"
"What a foolish boy!" she said, covering her face.
"Now you must set the day of our marriage. Let it be the day after wearrive. Let us be married at San Francisco. Why not?"
"You must ask mamma and papa. Talk to Elvira about it."
"I will. She will not object. Particularly as Mechlin intends going toreside in California, and engaging in business there. So you see, itwill be just the thing for our marriage to take place as soon as wearrive. I think it would be so nice for all your family, and my motherand Alice and Everett to come to meet us at San Francisco, and we bemarried there, and I then take you to your house, which will be readyfor you."
"I don't know whether mamma would approve--"
"Oh, my precious! Why not? She will, if you say you wish it so. I willwrite to-day to Hubert. I shall telegraph him to buy the handsome househe told me was for sale. Shall I telegraph?"
She looked down reflectingly. Suddenly she uttered an exclamation ofsurprise. She had seen the ring for the first time.
"I had not seen this diamond. Is it not too magnificent for anengagement ring?"
"Nothing is too magnificent for you."
"But, really, will it not attract too much attention?"
"I think not. You are not ashamed of it, are you?"
"No, indeed. Only it might be considered too large for an engagementring," she said. But observing that he looked pained, she added: "It isvery beautiful. It is like a big drop of sunlight."
"I am glad you like it. But perhaps it might not be considered in goodtaste for an engagement ring. Let us go to Tiffany's now and ask yoursister. I'll give you all home news as we drive down. But don't youremove the ring. I am superstitious about that."
Mercedes laughed and arose, saying: "I will not touch it. I'll go now toput on my bonnet. Elvira told me I may drive down with you to Tiffany's,if I wished. I won't be gone but two minutes."
"When am I going to have one sweet kiss?" said he, in pleading tones."Only one."
"I don't know--I can't tell," she said, running off, eluding him.
The gentle motion of Mrs. Mechlin's luxuriantly cushioned carriageinvited conversation, and Elvira soon perceived that her aunt desired toknow all about Clarence's family and history and wished to obtain allnecessary information in that respect as they drove down Broadway toTiffany's, Elvira therefore proceeded to enlighten the good lady,remembering, however, that George had cautioned her never to mentionthat old Darrell had taken land on the rancho in the sincere convictionthat by wise enactments of Congress, to rob people of their lands, wasand had been made a most honest transaction.
"My aunt will not understand," George had said, "and never realize theeffect that our legislation has upon us, as a nation, particularly uponthe untraveled, the stay-at-home Americans, and more specially yet, thefarmers. She will not believe old Darrell honest in his error, and nomatter whether Clarence might be the prince of good fellows, to her hewill always be the son of a squatter, of one who _steals land_. Nomatter under whose sanction--theft is theft to her--and she would snapher fingers at the entire Senate and House of Representatives, if thosehonorable bodies undertook to prove to her that by getting together andsaying that they can authorize American citizens to go and take theproperty of other citizens (without paying for it) and keep it--andfight for it to keep it--that the proceeding is made honorable andlawful."
Remembering these words of George, Elvira spoke highly of Mrs. Darrelland the other members of the family, but said very little of the headthereof. Still, as there was much to say about Clarence himself, veryfavorable to that young gentleman, the time was agreeably occupied withhis biography, while the two ladies drove through Broadway.
"I noticed last evening that his manners are very good," said Mrs.Lawrence Mechlin, speaking of Clarence. "You know, my dear, that I havea confirmed dread of bad-mannered people. They spread discord anddiscomfort wherever they are. And _apropos_ of manners, I must not omitsaying that Mercedes' behavior last evening was all that could bedesired in a well-bred young lady. A great many quite nice young ladieson such an occasion would have gone into the library, or the littleboudoir, or the other parlors, or would have sat on the stairs,anywhere, to have a whispered _tete-a-tete_ with her _fiance_. Yoursister remained in the drawing-room, like a lady, though I know wellenough her heart was longing to express how glad she was to see him. Andhe, too, behaved very well. Did not hang about her, but was courteous toall the ladies. I noticed last summer that Mercedes was not fond ofrunning off to have a _tete-a-tete_ with this one, and then withanother, as many of our girls do, but I thought she avoided it onaccount of being engaged. Now, however, I see that her reason is even abetter one. That it is inbred self-respect, a lady's sense of decorum."
"I am glad you think so well of my sister, dear aunt; and I think she isnaturally refined and lady-like. But as for running off to have_tete-a-tetes_ with gentlemen is a thing never seen among our Spanishgirls. I know that we, Spanish people, are criticised and much ridiculedfor keeping girls too strictly guarded, and in some instances this maybe so, but as a general thing, the girls themselves like to be guarded.We have all the freedom that is good for us
. Now, for instance, I toldMercedes she may receive Clarence alone, and after they had their talktogether, that she might drive down and join us here. I know I can trusther."
"That is right. I am glad you told her to come, for I want to give her aChristmas present, and would like to have some idea of her taste injewelry."
In due time the two ladies arrived at the jeweler's, and very soon afterMercedes and Clarence joined them. The ring was submitted to Mrs.Mechlin's _dictum_, and she pronounced it superb, not at allinappropriate for an engagement ring. Meantime, however, Clarence hadseen another which he liked best, and he bought it at once. It was madeof large diamonds, set in a circle, close together, so that the ringlooked like a band of light, very beautiful, "and," he said, "just thething; in fact, symbolical," considering that he wished to surroundMercedes with never-ending brightness and joy.
On Christmas night our Californians attended a _musicale_ at Mrs.Gunther's. On the 27th, Mrs. Mechlin's grand ball came off (and a grandaffair it was). On New Year's Day George took Clarence on an extensivetour of visiting.
"We will have a regular '_rodeo_,'" said George, laughing, as they wereabout to start; "and wind up our drive by coming home to make a longvisit here, at our _corral_."
"We don't want you, if you call your round of visits a '_rodeo_.' Aren'tyou ashamed to laugh at us Californians like that?" said Elvira,affecting great resentment, which took several kisses from George topacify.
Clarence was so pleased with the number and character of theacquaintances he made on New Year's, and he was so warmly invited tocall again, that he became convinced that New York was just the nicestcity on the continent, and even thought he would like it for aresidence, provided Mercedes was of the same opinion.
The Mechlins received in grand style on New Year's, and finished the daywith a dance and collation.
Next night Mrs. Gunther's ball took place, which was followed by anequally grand affair at the Seldens, on the 6th.
And now it was time to talk about the trip to Washington. George wantedhis uncle and aunt to go with him.
"I have no fears that the Solicitor General will give us any trouble,"said Mr. L. Mechlin; "I think his action in the Alamar case was a_feeler_ only for some ulterior purpose, which he has abandoned. But ifI could see how I might help Scott with his Texas Pacific Railroad, Ishould be most happy to go and try--for his sake, for the sake of thesouthern people, and for the sake of you people at San Diego. But Idon't see what I can do now. The failure of Jay Cook has hurt Scott atthe very time when Huntington is getting stronger and his influence inCongress evidently increasing."
"Several persons have told me that a certain railroad man is bribingCongressmen right and left to defeat the Texas Pacific Railroad," saidGeorge, "and I believe it."
"Bribery is an ugly word," Mr. Mechlin replied; "and if that is the wayrailroad men are going to work, it will be a difficult matter for anhonest man to compete with them and keep his hands clean. However, Imight be able to help Scott in some way. I guess we might go for a weekor two. Lizzie, what do you think? Would you like to go to Washingtonfor a week or two?"
"I would like it very well. I shall miss these two young ladies verymuch, and as the best way to cure _ennui_ is to avoid it, I think avisit to Washington would be just the thing for me now."
Mercedes clapped her hands in such genuine delight at hearing this, andElvira and Clarence were evidently so pleased, that Mrs. Mechlin added:
"These dear children seem so pleased that now I would feel greatsatisfaction in going, even if I did not expect any pleasure in myvisit. But I do. I have not been in Washington for years, and I havemany warm friends there whom I would like to see."
Thus it was fixed that all the family would go to Washington on the 9thor 10th, and remain for two or three weeks at the gay capital.
Mrs. Mechlin now remembered that the Gunthers and the Seldens hadmentioned that perhaps they would accept some invitations to severalparties and a wedding, to come off in Washington about the middle ofJanuary, and would be going down about the same time.
"I'll tell you what I'll do," Mr. Mechlin said, "I'll get a special car,and you invite the Gunthers and Seldens to go with us, and we will makea pleasant party all together."
"That is a good idea. I'll see Mrs. Gunther to-day, and we will appointthe day to start."
And thus it came to pass that on the 9th of January our Californianswere traveling in a palace car on their way to Washington, in companywith the most elite of New York.
Messrs. Bob Gunther and Arthur Selden were of the party. They derived nopleasure in being so, but they followed Mercedes because they preferredthe bitter sweet of being near her, in her presence, rather than toaccept at once the bitter alone of a hopeless separation. They knew theymust not hope, but still they hoped, for the reason alone that hope goeswith man to the foot of the gallows.