“I did some wrong act? What is it? When?”
“That I couldn't tell you, for I do not know, and perhaps I am wrong to have said so much. But I spoke because it was painful to me to think that you believe my own loving, lovely mamma prejudiced, for she is not. She might be mistaken, but she is kindness itself.”
Clarence mentally demurred to this warm praise, but wisely held his peace.
“Promise me you will not think mamma is prejudiced,” said she, without the least suspicion of the tyranny, the unreasonableness of such a request.
“I promise it, of course, if you desire it, but I would at the same time, like to know what is the wrong act of which I am accused, that has brought upon me her censure. I assure you I have not the slightest idea; I think my record as an honest man can well bear scrutiny. Can it be that I have made money in mining stocks?”
“Oh, no. She does not know that, and if she did, she would not think it wrong, for she knows nothing about stocks.”
“Then I vow I have not the remotest idea of what it is.”
“Think no more about it now, and when you return, you ask papa. He will soon find out the mistake and vindicate you.”
“Yes, he will do so I am sure. I would blindly trust my life and honor in his hands,” said he, warmly, and quick as a flash came his reward, for she pressed his hands most gratefully. “Ah! Mercedes why did you do that?” The poor young man was trying to make up his mind not to press his suit until he had been vindicated, and Doña Josefa had nothing against him. But that pressure made him ambitious, impatient; he wished to have some promise that she would not accept any one else's suit. She was going from him, out of his sight. He was certain that dozens, yes hundreds, would fall in love with her as soon as they saw her. Would she not love some one? It would be natural to prefer to him, some of those elegant New Yorkers, or some fascinating foreigner whom she might meet in Washington. This thought made him wretched.
“I'm so glad you appreciate papa,” said she, withdrawing her hands, which she considered he had held long enough. Noticing that he looked troubled, and that his hand trembled, she added: “I fear I have been indiscreet, and have caused you pain by what I said; if so, I am very sorry. Have I pained you?”