“Don't you all get too tired. And this reminds me that people who have been in the cars for ten days should have some rest. The day will be cool to-morrow; we need not go back to Long Branch until the day after,” said the senior Mechlin.
“We do not intend going to-morrow. We have something to do in town yet,” said Mrs. Mechlin.
“Some shopping, I suppose,” Mr. Lawrence observed.
“Exactly,” his wife assented.
After Mrs. Mechlin accompanied Elvira and Mercedes to their respective apartments, she returned to the library, where her husband and nephew were engaged in conversation. There was in Mrs. Mechlin's step and manner a degree of pleased elasticity, an amiable buoyancy of contented alacrity, which betokened that her mind was in a state of subdued pleasurable excitement which was to her very enjoyable. She came to George and kissed him twice, saying:
“I must repeat my kiss and congratulations, dear George. Your wife is perfection. Where in the world did such beauties grow? I assure you I am perfectly carried away by those two girls. No wonder you were so impatient to get married. They will be the rage next winter, and I shall give several dinners and receptions in honor of your wife, of course.”
“You are always so kind to me, dear aunt.”
“No more than I ought to be, but this time pleasure and duty will go together. I know I shall be proud to present my beautiful niece to New York society. Her manners are exquisite. She is lovely. She will be greatly admired, and justly so.”
“You will have to arrange for your parties and dinners to be in December and February, because George is going to Washington in January, and the young ladies will take that opportunity to visit the Capital with him,” said Mr. Mechlin, senior.
“That is a pity. Couldn't they go in December?”