Remembering these words of George, Elvira spoke highly of Mrs. Darrell and the other members of the family, but said very little of the head thereof. Still, as there was much to say about Clarence himself, very favorable to that young gentleman, the time was agreeably occupied with his biography, while the two ladies drove through Broadway.
“I noticed last evening that his manners are very good,” said Mrs. Lawrence Mechlin, speaking of Clarence. “You know, my dear, that I have a confirmed dread of bad-mannered people. They spread discord and discomfort wherever they are. And apropos of manners, I must not omit saying that Mercedes' behavior last evening was all that could be desired in a well-bred young lady. A great many quite nice young ladies on such an occasion would have gone into the library, or the little boudoir, or the other parlors, or would have sat on the stairs, anywhere, to have a whispered tête-à-tête with her fiancé. Your sister remained in the drawing-room, like a lady, though I know well enough her heart was longing to express how glad she was to see him. And he, too, behaved very well. Did not hang about her, but was courteous to all the ladies. I noticed last summer that Mercedes was not fond of running off to have a tête-à-tête with this one, and then with another, as many of our girls do, but I thought she avoided it on account of being engaged. Now, however, I see that her reason is even a better one. That it is inbred self-respect, a lady's sense of decorum.”
“I am glad you think so well of my sister, dear aunt; and I think she is naturally refined and lady-like. But as for running off to have tête-à-têtes with gentlemen is a thing never seen among our Spanish girls. I know that we, Spanish people, are criticised and much ridiculed for keeping girls too strictly guarded, and in some instances this may be so, but as a general thing, the girls themselves like to be guarded. We have all the freedom that is good for us. Now, for instance, I told Mercedes she may receive Clarence alone, and after they had their talk together, that she might drive down and join us here. I know I can trust her.”
“That is right. I am glad you told her to come, for I want to give her a Christmas present, and would like to have some idea of her taste in jewelry.”
In due time the two ladies arrived at the jeweler's, and very soon after Mercedes and Clarence joined them. The ring was submitted to Mrs. Mechlin's dictum, and she pronounced it superb, not at all inappropriate for an engagement ring. Meantime, however, Clarence had seen another which he liked best, and he bought it at once. It was made of large diamonds, set in a circle, close together, so that the ring looked like a band of light, very beautiful, “and,” he said, “just the thing; in fact, symbolical,” considering that he wished to surround Mercedes with never-ending brightness and joy.
On Christmas night our Californians attended a musicale at Mrs. Gunther's. On the 27th, Mrs. Mechlin's grand ball came off (and a grand affair it was). On New Year's Day George took Clarence on an extensive tour of visiting.
“We will have a regular ‘rodeo,’” said George, laughing, as they were about to start; “and wind up our drive by coming home to make a long visit here, at our corral.”
“We don't want you, if you call your round of visits a ‘rodeo.’ Aren't you ashamed to laugh at us Californians like that?” said Elvira, affecting great resentment, which took several kisses from George to pacify.
Clarence was so pleased with the number and character of the acquaintances he made on New Year's, and he was so warmly invited to call again, that he became convinced that New York was just the nicest city on the continent, and even thought he would like it for a residence, provided Mercedes was of the same opinion.
The Mechlins received in grand style on New Year's, and finished the day with a dance and collation.