Every one was pleased with this exhibition of the bird’s intelligence, and the children were quite wild over the new acquisition. The other presents were forgotten for the moment, and they could do nothing but watch every movement with admiration and wonder.
To Lady Jane the recovery of her lost treasure was the crowning point of happiness, and she consented reluctantly to leave him alone in the conservatory, where he was to spend the night, and where he looked very comfortable, as well as picturesque, standing on one leg under a large palm.
“Doesn’t she dance like a little fairy!” said Arthur admiringly to Mrs. Lanier, as they stood, a little later, watching the children dancing.
“Yes, she is very graceful and altogether charming,” replied Mrs. Lanier. “It is delightful to see her so happy after all she has suffered.”
“I don’t imagine she will care half as much for her rich grandfather as she does for Tony,” returned Arthur. “You see she’s acquainted with Tony, and she isn’t acquainted with her grandfather. I hope he’ll be decent to her,” he added anxiously.
“It is almost time for him to be here,” said Mrs. Lanier, glancing at the clock. “Mr. Lanier will meet him at the station and bring him here, if he will accept our hospitality. I’ll confess I’m filled with consternation. He used to be such a stern, cold man; he never even softened to Jane’s young friends; he was polite and kind, but never genial, and I dare say he has quite forgotten me. It’s a trial for me to meet him with this awful mystery hanging over Jane’s last days. Oh, I hope he will take kindly to the child! He idolized her mother before she thwarted his plans, and now I should think his remorse would be terrible, and that he would do everything to atone for his unkindness.”
“I have faith in Lady Jane,” laughed Arthur. “It must be a hard heart to withstand her winning ways. I’ll wager before a week that the old millionaire will be her devoted slave.”
Just at that moment a servant entered, and handed Mrs. Lanier a card. “It is Mr. Chetwynd,” she said to Arthur. “They have come; he is in the library, and Mr. Lanier asks me to bring the child.”
A few moments later, Mrs. Lanier led Lady Jane into the room where Richard Chetwynd waited to receive her. He was a tall, pale man, with deep, piercing eyes, and firmly closed lips, which gave character to a face that did not lack kindliness of expression. As she advanced a little constrainedly, holding the child by the hand, he came forward to meet her with an air of friendly interest.
“Perhaps you have forgotten me, Mrs. Lanier,” he said, cordially extending his hand, “but I remember you, although it is some time ago that you used to dine with my daughter in Gramercy Park.”