Clarence returned to Elvira's side, and had to console himself with studying how Mercedes could have become more beautiful when it had seemed that it would be impossible for any human being to be more perfect.
He was deliciously occupied in pondering upon this problem when ices and cakes, tea and coffee were served by two waiters, in white gloves, and very irreproachable manners, and now Clarence could have the happiness of taking his ice cream beside Mercedes.
Next day, at half-past ten exactly, Clarence ran up the steps of the Mechlin mansion. He gave his card to the servant for Miss Alamar, and asked for no one else, but Elvira came from the library as she heard his voice.
“Aunt and myself are going to attend to some shopping. You will stay to luncheon, won't you? Aunt requests it. I am glad she likes you.”
“I am truly grateful to her, and much pleased, indeed. But I shall be making a very long call if I wait. I shall go and return at one—hadn't I better?”
“If you have anything else to do this morning, of course, go and return. We lunch at one.”
“I have nothing on earth to do but to see you people and wait on you. I hope you won't get tired of me. I was in hopes you two would go with me to see some very pretty things at Tiffany's.”
“We are going there now. I promised aunt to go with her. Mercedes and I, you mean, I suppose, can go with you to-morrow?”
Mrs. Mechlin now came down stairs, and Clarence waited on them to their carriage.
As he closed the carriage door Mrs. Mechlin said: “Elvira has told you we shall expect you to luncheon.”