“About Christmas—perhaps about the twentieth of December,” Mercedes answered. “He says he will telegraph to you the day he starts.”
“I shall be glad to see him; he is a noble fellow,” said he, and embraced Mercedes, saying good night.
CHAPTER XIX.—In New York.
Cards for Mrs. Mechlin's ball, on the 27th of December, had been out for two or three days, when, on the 20th of that same month and year—1873—Clarence arrived at the American metropolis. He was in a high state of excitement. He could scarcely repress his impatience to see Mercedes, and yet he exerted sufficient self-control to go first to Tiffany and purchase the finest diamond ring in the establishment. He even was patient enough to wait until the diamond which he selected was reset in a ring from which an emerald was removed. When the exchange was made and the jewel paid for, he told the driver to hasten to Mr. Mechlin's house.
George and his uncle had just come from their office when Clarence arrived, so he met them in the hall as he entered. George presented him to his uncle, and the three walked into the library. The cordial manner in which Clarence was received by Mr. Mechlin, demonstrated clearly how favorably this gentleman was impressed.
After conversing with him, while George went to carry the news of his arrival up-stairs, Mr. Mechlin, when George returned, invited him to dine with them, saying:
“I feel as if you were not quite a stranger to us, having heard George speak of you so often, and always most kindly.”
Clarence hesitated, but George insisted, and he remained. Then the two friends sat down to chat while the ladies came down. In a few minutes Clarence had given a synopsis of home news.
“And what about mining news?” George asked.
“Splendid,” was the reply.