"Very well. I understand what you are after. All shall be done as you wish. I think we shall make your mother change her opinion a shade or two."
And the physician smiled.
Before evening Doctor Hudson received a note requesting the pleasure of Doctor and Mrs. Hudson's and Miss Ella Hudson's company at the house of Doctor B—. The compliments of Doctor and Mrs. B— were expressed, of course. Though a little surprised, all the parties invited made preparations to go to the party.
When the evening came, Dr. Baldwin went with his mother and sisters. Since the first mention of the subject that had caused such an expression of indignation by Mrs. Baldwin not a word of reference had been made to it. There was, of course, coldness and reserve between the mother and the son.
The party proved to be a large one; and at least one half of those present were strangers to Mrs. Baldwin.
"Who is that on Dr. B—'s arm?" she asked of her daughter, about an hour after her arrival at the scene of pleasure. The doctor was conducting to the piano a plain, but tastefully attired young lady, in whose sweet young face there was something that to Mrs. Baldwin seemed particularly attractive.
Clara turned her eyes towards the lady, but instead of answering her mother's question, said—
"She's a stranger to most persons here, I rather think."
"Some relative of the doctor's, perhaps," remarked the mother.
By this time the young lady was at the piano, around which a small circle immediately gathered. She touched the keys delicately, yet with ease and confidence, and after running her fingers over them for a few moments, struck the air of a popular and favorite song, which she sang with fine effect.