Arthur shook his head despondingly, but, nevertheless, he was pleased to hear his mother say that they must entertain those two Californians, and Mrs. Mechlin would think it was all intended as a compliment to herself.
The Gunthers being more intimate with the Mechlins, should not be outdone by the Seldens in courtesy to these two ladies (at least such was the opinion expressed by Robert to his mother), and thus a day hardly passed without some entertainment for their amusement.
Arthur closed his eyes to the future and let himself float down this stream of sweet pleasures, knowing that they were but a dream, and yet for that reason more determined to drink the last drop of that nectar so intoxicating, and enjoy being near her, within the sound of her voice, within the magic circle of her personality. The thought that he had seen her with Gunther rambling on the beach had been at first very bitter and disconcerting, but when he had learned that she had intended going to see the boat, but changed her mind, he consoled himself, and more easily yet, when he observed that Gunther and other admirers made no more progress as suitors than he did himself.
Misery loves company, sure. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Arthur Selden did not deceive himself with any very great hopes of success; still, such is the complexity of man's aspirations and man's reasoning, that he determined to speak to Mercedes of his love, for he had never done so—had never offered himself to her. He would know the worst from her own lips. So one morning in the month of September, when George Mechlin and his uncle had gone to New York on business on account of Jay Cook's failure, Selden saw the two Misses Mechlin out driving on the road towards Fort Adams. He concluded that the two Misses Mechlin must be going to call on the officers' wives, stationed at the Fort, and Mercedes must be alone at home. He immediately took a side road thus to avoid meeting the Mechlins and drove directly to the Mechlin villa. He found Mercedes alone in the library, where she had gone for a book to take to her room.
“Mr. Arthur Selden,” said the tall servant at the library door, and behind his broad shoulders peeped Arthur's red whiskers.
“I took the liberty of following the servant,” said he, “because I hoped we would be less interrupted here.”
“Undoubtedly,” replied she, laughing and offering him a chair; “very logical deduction.”
“Don't laugh at me, please,” said he, blushing; “I know you are thinking that others might follow you here as well as I, and it is so, but you see, Miss Mercedes, I am in despair at times. I have been wishing to speak to you alone, but I never have a chance.”
“Why, Mr. Selden, you see me very often.”
“Yes, but not alone, not where I could tell you all I feel for you, and beg you not to drive me to despair. You know I have loved you from the first instant I saw you. Can I hope ever to win your love? May I hope, or is my love hopeless?”