FIRST MEETING OF FATHER AND SON.
Oh, Christ! that thus a son should stand
Before a father's face.
--_Byron_.
While Mr. Brudenell still ruminated over these affairs the second
dinner-bell rang, and almost at the same moment Judge Merlin rapped and
entered the chamber, with old-fashioned hospitality, to show his guest
the way to the drawing room.
"You feel better, I hope, Brudenell?" he inquired.
"Yes, thank you, judge."
"Come then. We will go down. We are a little behind time at best this
evening, upon account of our young friend's long-winded address. It was
a splendid affair, though. Worth waiting to hear, was it not?" proudly
inquired the judge as they descended the stairs.
They entered the drawing room.
It was a family party that was assembled there, with the sole exception
of the Viscount Vincent, who indeed had become a daily visitor, a
recognized suitor of Miss Merlin, and almost one of their set.
As soon as Mr. Brudenell had paid his respects to each member of the
family, Lord Vincent advanced frankly and cordially to greet him as an
old acquaintance, saying:
"I had just learned from Miss Merlin of your arrival. You must have left
London very soon after I did."
Before Mr. Brudenell could reply, Judge Merlin came up with Ishmael and
said:
"Lord Vincent, excuse me. Mr. Brudenell, permit me--Mr. Worth, of the
Washington bar."
Herman Brudenell turned and confronted Ishmael Worth. And father and son
stood face to face.
Herman's face was quivering with irrepressible yet unspeakable emotion;
Ishmael's countenance was serene and smiling.
No faintest instinct warned Nora's son that he stood in the presence of
his father. He saw before him a tall, thin, fair-complexioned,
gentlemanly person, whose light hair was slightly silvered, and whose
dark brown eyes, in such strange contrast to the blond hair, were bent
with interest upon him.
"I am happy to make your acquaintance, young gentleman. Permit me to
offer you my congratulations upon your very decided success," said Mr.
Brudenell, giving his hand.
Ishmael bowed.
"Brudenell, will you take my daughter in to dinner?" said Judge Merlin,
seeing that Lord Vincent had already given his arm to Mrs. Middleton.
Herman, glad to be relieved from a position that was beginning to
overcome his self-possession, bowed to Miss Merlin, who smilingly
accepted his escort.
Judge Merlin drew Bee's arm within his own and followed. And Mr.
Middleton, with a comic smile, crooked his elbow to Ishmael, who laughed
instead of accepting it, and those two walking side by side brought up
the rear.
That dinner passed very much as other dinners of the same class. Judge
Merlin was cordial, Mr. Middleton facetious, Lord Vincent gracious, Mr.
Brudenell silent and apparently abstracted, and Ishmael was attentive--a
listener rather than a speaker. The ladies as usual at dinner-parties,
where the conversation turns upon politics, were rather in the
background, and took an early opportunity of withdrawing from the table,
leaving the gentlemen to finish their political discussion over their
wine.
The latter, however, did not linger long; but soon followed the ladies
to the drawing room, where coffee was served. And soon after the party
separated for the evening. Herman Brudenell withdrew to his chamber with
one idea occupying him--his son. Since the death of Nora had paralyzed
his affections, Herman Brudenell had loved no creature on earth until he
met her son upon this evening. Now the frozen love of years melted and
flowed into one strong, impetuous stream towards him--her son--his son!
Oh, that he might dare to claim him!
It was late when Mr. Brudenell fell asleep--so late that he overslept
himself in the morning. And when at last he awoke he was surprised to
find that it was ten o'clock.
But Judge Merlin's house was "liberty hall." His guests breakfasted when
they got up, and got up when they awoke. It was one of his crochets
never to have anyone awakened. He said that when people had had sleep
enough, they would awaken of themselves, and to awaken them before that
was an injurious interference with nature. And his standing order in
regard to himself was, that no one should ever arouse him from sleep
unless the house was on fire, or someone at the point of death. And woe
betide anyone who should disregard this order!
So Mr. Brudenell had been allowed to sleep until he woke up at ten
o'clock, and when he went downstairs at eleven he found a warm breakfast
awaiting him, and the little housewife, Bee, presiding over the coffee.
As Bee poured out his coffee she informed him, in answer to his remarks,
that all the members of the family had breakfasted and gone about their
several affairs. The judge and Ishmael had gone to court, and Mrs.
Middleton and Claudia on a shopping expedition; but they would all be
back at the luncheon hour, which was two o'clock.