“And I'll bring you some by way of an excuse.”
“Why did Mercedes run off?” George asked.
“She will be back in a minute; she went to take a glass of water.”
“Oh! why did she not tell me to bring it to her?” said Clarence regretfully. “I ought to have thought of bringing it. Wouldn't she rather have a glass of wine or lemonade? and you, too, Mrs. Mechlin? I shall take it as a favor if you will accept. A glass of champagne with ice I think would do very well for all of us; don't you think so Mr. Mechlin?”
“Yes, champagne with ice would be very nice, provided the champagne be good,” George replied.
“Let us try any way,” said Clarence, going to order the wine. George and Elvira watched him, and when out of hearing George said:
“Don't you know I like that young man very much. What is your mother's objection to him?”
“His family, I believe, or rather his father.”
“Old Darrell looks like a decent, honorable sort of a man to me. Certainly Clarence is very gentlemanly, and (what is equally to be considered) Mercedes likes him more than is good for her peace of mind if she is not to have him.”
“My poor little sister, she is so unhappy, and, just think of it, papa told Clarence to come, to follow Mercedes and propose to her.”