“An earl!” ejaculated both mother and daughter, in a breath.
“Yes; so I have lately learned, and, notwithstanding he will succeed to an earldom upon his grandfather’s death, he is very modest about it, and prefers to be addressed as plain Mr. Dredmond, rather than ‘my lord.’”
“Wilbur, you must introduce him, by all means. Isabel, who knows what may happen?” and Mrs. Coolidge, much excited at the intelligence she had just received, ruffled her feathers with motherly pride.
“There, Wilbur! I do believe he is coming here. He has left his box, and is coming this way!” exclaimed Isabel, her cheeks flushing a vivid scarlet at the thought of being introduced to a peer of the realm.
Adrian Dredmond was indeed bending his steps in that direction; but had those proud women known that it was on account of their despised governess, and her alone, they would not have been so elated.
Wilbur arose, and met him at the entrance.
“How are you, Coolidge?” exclaimed the young man, heartily, and extending his hand. “We have not met often of late,” he added.
“No; I have been dancing attendance upon the ladies. Will you come in and be introduced?”
“With pleasure,” and his eyes lingered upon that graceful figure, clad in maize-colored silk, seated between the two young girls.
Wilbur lead him first to his mother and Isabel, then presented him to Viola and Alma, and finally to Brownie, in spite of Mrs. Coolidge’s warning glance, as she saw what he was about to do.