Part 150 (2/2)
Her mother thought her the most beautiful thing she had ever seen; and her father, though somewhat critical, secretly thought so, too.
Mrs. Weatherstone cast many a loving look at the tall girl beside her in the intervals of ”Delighted to see you's,” and saw that her double burden had had no worse effect than to soften the lines of the mouth and give a hint of pathos to the clear depths of her eyes.
The foreign visitors were much interested in the young Amazon of Industry, as the Prince insisted on calling her; and even the German Count for a moment forgot his ancestors in her pleasant practical talk.
Mrs. Weatherstone had taken pains to call upon the Wardens--claiming a connection, if not a relations.h.i.+p, and to invite them all. And as the crowd grew bigger and bigger, Diantha saw Mrs. Warden at last approaching with her four daughters--and no one else. She greeted them politely and warmly; but Mrs. Weatherstone did more.
Holding them all in a little group beside her, she introduced her n.o.ble visitors to them; imparted the further information that their brother was _fiance_ to Miss Bell. ”I don't see him,” she said, looking about.
”He will come later, of course. Ah, Miss Madeline! How proud you all must feel of your sister-in-law to be!”
Madeline blushed and tried to say she was.
”Such a remarkable young lady!” said the Count to Adeline. ”You will admire, envy, and imitate! Is it not so?”
”Your ladies of America have all things in your hands,” said the Prince to Miss Cora. ”To think that she has done so much, and is yet so young--and so beautiful!”
”I know you're all as proud as you can be,” Mrs. Weatherstone continued to Dora. ”You see, Diantha has been heard of abroad.”
They all pa.s.sed on presently, as others came; but Mrs. Warden's head was reeling. She wished she could by any means get at Ross, and _make_ him come, which he had refused to do.
”I can't, mother,” he had said. ”You go--all of you. Take the girls.
I'll call for you at twelve--but I won't go in.”
Mr. and Mrs. Thaddler were there--but not happy. She was not, at least, and showed it; he was not until an idea struck him. He dodged softly out, and was soon flying off, at dangerous speed over the moon-white country roads.
He found Ross, dressed and ready, sulking blackly on his shadowy porch.
”Come and take a spin while you wait,” said Mr. Thaddler.
”Thanks, I have to go in town later.”
”I'll take you in town.”
”Thank you, but I have to take the horses in and bring out my mother and the girls.”
”I'll bring you all out in the car. Come on--it's a great night.”
So Ross rather reluctantly came.
He sat back on the luxurious cus.h.i.+ons, his arms folded sternly, his brows knit, and the stout gentleman at his side watched him shrewdly.
”How does the ranch go?” he asked.
”Very well, thank you, Mr. Thaddler.”
”Them c.h.i.n.ks pay up promptly?”
”As prompt as the month comes round. Their rent is a very valuable part of the estate.”
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