It was delicious, and she had not heart or resolution at the moment to throw off this homage. She knew that Mrs. Harvey was misreading her acquiescence, and that every moment she submitted to her care and motherly direction, involved her, enmeshed her. But it was so delicious to be a princess and an heiress—for an hour.
The whole situation was intensified when Mr. Harvey's soft tenor voice called:
"Where is everybody?"
"Come up; here we are! There's somebody here you'll want to see."
Mr. Harvey came in smiling, looking as calm and contained as if he were just risen from sleep. He was almost as exquisitely dressed as his son.
"Well! well! This is a pleasure," he cordially exclaimed. "What's the meaning of the wrap; not sick?"
"Elbert picked her up on the street, wet and shivering, waiting for a car, and brought her home."
"Quite right. We're always glad to see you. Did you give her a little cordial, Caroline? In case of cold—"
Rose protested. "I'm not sick, Mr. Harvey, only tired. I've been out all the day watching the dreadful storm. I saw those ships go on the rocks. O, it was dreadful!"
"Did you see the three men on the raft?" asked Elbert.