From the thought that he must meet his father soon, the interior of his heart began to desiccate.
A servant announced the dinner. Cara sprang up from the stool:
"I will go to conduct father!"
She went to the door, but turned back from it, and, dropping on her knees before her mother, put a number of long, passionate kisses on her knees and her hand. Then hanging on her neck, she whispered in a low voice:
"Golden, only, dearest mamma." And springing from her knees she flew out of the room like a bird.
What did that violent outburst of tenderness for her mother mean? No one knew, neither did she herself, perhaps. Was it a prayer for someone, or the assurance that she loved greatly not only that one, but her mother too? or was it delight that at last she would see them both together? She flew like a bird through the drawing-rooms, lighted by lamps burning here and there, till she pushed quietly into her father's study, and put her hand under his arm at the writing-desk. All rosy, imitating the deep and solemn voice of the servant, she said:
"Dinner is served!"
Darvid felt a stream of warmth and sweetness flowing to his breast.
"Oh, you rogue!" said he, "you sunray! You little one!"
When he was entering the dining-room soon after with Cara, Maryan led in his mother through the opposite door; she was all in black silk and jet.