CHAPTER XVIII
The journey back to New York seemed all too brief for the two whose lives had just been blended so unexpectedly, and every mile was filled with a new and sweet discovery of delight in one another; and then, when they reached the city they rushed in on Mrs. Hathaway and the eager young Jeff like two children who had so much to tell they did not know where to begin.
Mrs. Hathaway settled the matter by insisting on their going to dinner immediately and leaving all explanations until afterward; and with the servants present of course there was little that could be said about the matter that each one had most at heart. But there was a spirit of deep happiness in the atmosphere and one couldn’t possibly entertain any fears under the influence of the radiant smiles that passed between mother and daughter, husband and wife, brother and sister.
As soon as the meal was concluded the mother led them up to her private sitting room, and closing the door she stood facing them all as half breathless with the excitement of the moment they stood in a row before her:
“My three dear children!” she murmured. Gordon’s eyes lit with joy and his heart thrilled with the wonder of it all. Then the mother stepped up to him and placing her hand on his arm led him over to the couch and made him sit beside her, while the brother and sister sat down together close by.
“Now, Cyril, my new son,” said she, deliberately, her eyes resting approvingly upon his face, “you may tell me your story. I see my girl has lost both head and heart to you and I doubt if she could tell it connectedly.”
And while Celia and Jeff were laughing at this Gordon set about his task of winning a mother, and incidentally an eager-eyed young brother who was more than half committed to his cause already.
Celia watched proudly as her handsome husband took out his credentials, and began his explanation.
“First, I must tell you who I am, and these papers will do it better than I could. Will you look at them, please?”
He handed her a few letters and papers.