After dinner several lady friends, who had received Elvira's wedding cards and had seen her and Mercedes at church that morning, called.
The cards of the New Yorkers, also, were brought, and they followed immediately. Elvira presented them very gracefully, while George watched with delighted attention the perfect ease and natural elegance with which she did the honors as hostess.
Robert Gunther and Arthur Selden seated themselves in a corner, on the right of Mercedes' chair, but Clarence held his place on the end of the sofa, very near her.
About ten o'clock, Mr. Charles Gunther said to them:
“Much as it pains me to tear myself away, young men, it must be done, for we have made a first call of nearly two hours' duration.”
“It has not seemed to us nearly so long,” Mercedes said.
“It was no more than two minutes,” Bob Gunther added.
“How you exaggerate,” Mr. Selden exclaimed.
“Ask him how long it has seemed to him,” Bob suggested.
“I would not dare. He thinks you exaggerate, that is enough,” replied Mercedes.