“I’m not auctioning the baby, Mrs. Chaffee,” said Patty, smiling at the determined lady; “it isn’t a question of who asked first. Milly and Mrs. Colton are too perfectly suited to each other to let me even consider any other mother for the child. Please give up all thought of it, for I have made up my mind.”
Miss Penrose was more acquiescent, and nonchalantly presumed she could get an equally pretty baby from an asylum. To which Patty heartily agreed.
It was arranged that Patty should take Milly home with her for a few days, till Mrs. Colton could prepare for her reception. Also, she promised to call in her lawyer and see about the legal processes of adoption in this most unusual case.
All unwitting of the plans for her destiny, Milly beamed impartially on everybody, and went with Patty to make adieux to the hostess.
“I do apologise,” said Patty, smiling, “for this eccentric performance. But when you know me better, dear Mrs. Meredith, you will expect strange happenings when I’m about. All my friends know this.”
The speech was a clever one, for Mrs. Meredith greatly desired to be classed among the friends of Patty Fairfield, the society belle.
“It was charming of you,” she returned, “to choose my drawing-room for your pretty project. I trust you will always feel free to avail yourself of any opportunity I can offer.”
Milly made her dear little curtsey; Channing murmured polite phrases, and they went away.
“Well!” said Chick, as they whirled along homeward, “we came, we saw, and you bet we conquered! How about it?”
“I should say we did!” and Patty’s face glowed with satisfaction and happiness. “There’s nobody I’d rather give Milly to than Mrs. Colton. She’s a perfect dear, and her great sorrow has left her with an aching, hungry heart, that this little scrap of happiness can fill.”