“What a happy girl you are, Mercedes, to visit New York. How I wish I, too, could go,” he heard Corina Holman say.
“Come on, it is not too late yet,” George replied.
Clarence looked up, and met Mercedes' eyes. It seemed as if George's words were intended for him.
He clasped Don Mariano's hand, saying hurriedly:
“If I understand you, I have your permission to go. May I? Tell me ‘yes.’”
“‘Faint heart never won fair lady,’” he repeated, smiling, and returning the warm pressure of his hand, added: “Yes, go and try your luck.”
Clarence turned, and without another word quickly made his way through the crowd.
The steamer's wheels began to move; the captain was already on the bridge, over the starboard wheel, and had given the order to let go the hawsers. In another instant the steamer would leave the wharf.
Clarence felt himself pulled by the arm, he turned impatiently, and met Everett, who handed him two telegrams, saying:
“I have looked for you everywhere. These telegrams followed each other quickly.”