"I am glad you think so well of my sister, dear aunt; and I think she is naturally refined and lady-like. But as for running off to have _tête-à-têtes_ with gentlemen is a thing never seen among our Spanish girls. I know that we, Spanish people, are criticised and much ridiculed for keeping girls too strictly guarded, and in some instances this may be so, but as a general thing, the girls themselves like to be guarded. We have all the freedom that is good for us. Now, for instance, I told Mercedes she may receive Clarence alone, and after they had their talk together, that she might drive down and join us here. I know I can trust her."
"That is right. I am glad you told her to come, for I want to give her a Christmas present, and would like to have some idea of her taste in jewelry."
In due time the two ladies arrived at the jeweler's, and very soon after Mercedes and Clarence joined them. The ring was submitted to Mrs. Mechlin's _dictum_, and she pronounced it superb, not at all inappropriate for an engagement ring. Meantime, however, Clarence had seen another which he liked best, and he bought it at once. It was made of large diamonds, set in a circle, close together, so that the ring looked like a band of light, very beautiful, "and," he said, "just the thing; in fact, symbolical," considering that he wished to surround Mercedes with never-ending brightness and joy.
On Christmas night our Californians attended a _musicale_ at Mrs. Gunther's. On the 27th, Mrs. Mechlin's grand ball came off (and a grand affair it was). On New Year's Day George took Clarence on an extensive tour of visiting.
"We will have a regular '_rodeo_,'" said George, laughing, as they were about to start; "and wind up our drive by coming home to make a long visit here, at our _corral_."
"We don't want you, if you call your round of visits a '_rodeo_.' Aren't you ashamed to laugh at us Californians like that?" said Elvira, affecting great resentment, which took several kisses from George to pacify.
Clarence was so pleased with the number and character of the acquaintances he made on New Year's, and he was so warmly invited to call again, that he became convinced that New York was just the nicest city on the continent, and even thought he would like it for a residence, provided Mercedes was of the same opinion.