But he was resolute, and would not be turned from his purpose.
“There is to be a great wedding in New York on the thirtieth, for which I am booked,” he explained, though he did not say who was to be married; “and I would not miss it for anything.”
“Well, but you could easily reach New York in season for this wedding, even if you do not leave until after Christmas,” his mother pleaded, for she was greatly disturbed to have him leave home at this time, while she suspected, from his gloomy face, who was to be married, and felt sure he was only heaping up misery for himself in going to New York.
“Perhaps I will come back just for your grand party at Christmas,” he said, to appease her and be allowed to get off without further objections; “but I must run up North for a week or two, anyhow.”
He reached the city on the morning of the sixth, and proceeded directly to the club, of which he was a member, and where he soon learned all that was going on among the bon ton.
During the following day he called upon Gladys’ friend, Miss Addie Loring, from whom he meant to get all the particulars of the approaching wedding.
Miss Loring received him with evident pleasure.
“Where have you kept yourself all winter, Mr. Mapleson?” she questioned, brightly, as she cordially gave him her hand. “I feared you had deserted us altogether since leaving college.”
“I have been in the South most of the time, but something, more powerful than home influence, constrained me to come to New York for a little taste of society and city life,” Everet returned, in a tone and with a look that made the young lady’s bright eyes droop consciously.
“Will you remain until the end of the season?”