Raife’s meeting with his mother was affectionate, and tears were in her eyes as she asked: “Have you brought her, Raife?”
He replied, cheerily: “Yes, mother dear, and I want you to like her and give her and her father a hearty welcome to Aldborough.”
In somewhat anxious tones, she said: “I hope I shall, dear, and I promise to try. Of course, they shall have a hearty welcome. She is my son’s choice, and I will do my duty.” Then, in halting accents, she added: “You are your own master here. Forgive me, Raife, if I appear anxious. I love you very dearly, and with all a mother’s love. You are all I have left in this world, and I fear for your happiness.” Then, smiling, she again added: “I will not remind you that you were always a brave, darling, wayward boy.”
Raife took his mother in his arms and reverently kissed her on the forehead, saying, with a happy laugh: “You dear, darling mother! Never fear for me. I will not forget that I am a Reymingtoune.” As he left the room Lady Remington turned to the window and wiped away a tear.
Raife almost ran down the staircase, and, bursting into the room, called out cheerily to Hilda and her father: “Come along, good folks, and meet my dear old mother. She is upstairs and awaits you.”
The close scrutiny of the servants was easy to bear. Hilda’s heart fluttered as they climbed the wide old staircase and entered the library. Lady Remington was standing to receive them. Raife started to present them. “Mother, this is—”
He did not finish.
Hilda, with a charming impulse, had crossed the room with both hands extended, exclaiming: “You are Raife’s mother. Oh, I’m so glad!”
The radiance of this beautiful young girl, the charm of her musical voice, and the evident spontaneity of the action, were magical. The stately Lady Remington took the two extended hands and kissed Hilda on both cheeks, saying: “Welcome, Hilda. I am sure I shall like you, and I hope you will like me. May you both be very happy.”
Mr Muirhead stood by Raife’s side, viewing this unconventional scene, where the newer West had conquered the stiffer conventions of the older West by a display of genuine frankness. His handsome face was made the more handsome by the pleased smile that it bore. Raife now presented him to his mother with more formality than Hilda had allowed in her case.