But the niece of her own aunt proved to be adamant, and submitted a long, and imposing list of her engagements. She, however, consented to appear at a dinner-party,—the date of which Mrs. Jenkins, diary in hand, fixed so far ahead, that excuse or evasion, was out of the question.
One Sunday afternoon Nancy, and a party of friends, betook themselves to the Park, chaperoned by Mrs. De Wolfe and Lord Hillside. The usual rendezvous near Stanhope Gate, was crowded, and the promenade bordering the grass, so thronged that progress was difficult. Nancy and Tony Lamerton lagged somewhat in the rear of their companions, and during a block in the seething mass, she descried a face she hadn't seen for more than two years: the beaming visage of Teddy Dawson, wearing a wide smile upon his half-open mouth. Oh, how funny he looked! His coat sleeves and trousers, inches too short; an old-fashioned tall hat crammed on the back of his head, otherwise the same blue-eyed old Teddy. Nancy instantly extended a delicately gloved hand, but instead of grasping it (as expected), he failed to recognize a friend in this smart young lady, and became the colour of a boiled beetroot.
"There must be some mistake," he said to himself, "he had no acquaintance with this dazzling creature, who had so to speak, summoned him to halt,"—but when Nancy smiled at his overpowering embarrassment, and he looked into her eyes, he exclaimed, "Great Christmas, can it be Nancy?"
"Why not?" she demanded. "Of course it's Nancy."
The pair were unaffectedly glad to meet, and exchanged very cordial greetings.
"When did you arrive?" she asked. "Yesterday?"
"Now, how in the world did you guess?"
"By your wardrobe; Jessie will have to take you in hand."
"Oh, so you've heard!" he replied, with a conscious grin. "My coming home was a bit sudden; but at the very last moment I got a passage in the same boat, with Jess, and her mother. Where are you stopping?"
"At present, we are both stopping the public thoroughfare,—but you will find me at the Hyde Park Hotel. I've no end of things to hear, and to say to you. Will you and Jessie come and dine to-morrow night at eight?"