“Well, you know that was all Min’s fault; she was forever in your arms. Here comes our Chateau Yquem. What! who on earth can be ringing the door-bell at this hour?”
“I know that is my father,” said Clara, going to the front door. Edward, for some reason, disappeared at the same time.
“Now tell me what I am here for,” said the doctor, after laying down his hat and saluting the friends. “I sat in my studio for an hour, and resisted the impulse to come over. It is ten o’clock, and you know I never came here, or anywhere, at such an hour, unless I was called.”
“Well, you were called,” answered Susie, who loved to nurse little superstitions.
“Count, what do you think of it?” asked the doctor.
“I will not say it is impossible for us to act upon each other at a distance. I have known several instances that would seem to prove it.”
“We were so happy, papa,” said Clara, putting her arms around her father tenderly. “I think my own joy must have filled the world like an atmosphere, and so it embraced you, and you being a ‘sensitive,’ responded.”
“Papa’s own girl is radiant to-night,” he said, kissing her. “I never saw you look so well,” and glancing at the conservatory and the table, and then at Paul, he read the mystery. “Why this is very irregular,” he added, gayly. “Are my paternal rights to be disregarded? Are you going to marry my girl without my consent?”
“I trust not, sir,” said Paul, confidently.
“Oh, do you not know, papa, I cannot marry any one?”