When she left the room I asked Dorothy if we could not be married the next day.  Well, but she had much to do to get ready; put the wedding off until December, or later.  “You can get everything you want in Chicago,” I persisted, “and I want to take you back with me.”  Dorothy had not talked this matter over with her mother.  She was not sure that her mother could be won to a plan so hasty.  “Let’s see her,” I said.

For the whole evening we discussed the subject.  Since Mrs. Clayton’s household would be broken up by Dorothy’s departure, she had to readjust her life.  She was thinking something of making a visit of some months in North Carolina.  She could not make ready for that immediately.  Why not come to Chicago with us, make her home with us?  She could bring the colored servants.  We talked until one o’clock.  Then Mrs. Clayton advised a night’s rest on the matter.

CHAPTER XXXIII

The next morning I awoke with such a feeling of repose, of being at home at last.  I was lying in a poster bed, which Mrs. Clayton had told me was an heirloom from North Carolina.  In my view was a lovely bureau of mahogany; on a stand a vase of roses; at the windows snowy curtains; on the walls pictures of Mr. Clayton in his soldier’s uniform, and of Reverdy as a young boy and of Dorothy.

I stretched myself between the comfort of the linen sheets, and turned over on my side to smile to myself, as I looked out of the window into the trees.  I was at home at last!  I thought back over my voyage across the Atlantic, of the long journey from New York to Jacksonville, of Reverdy at Chicago with his Indian pony, of my illness and Zoe.  All my troubles had faded away.

There was soon a knock at the door and Jenny’s voice called to me that she had brought me water.  I arose, dressed, and went down to the living room.  Mrs. Clayton bade me such a kind good morning, kissed me on the cheek.  In a moment Dorothy entered, radiant from her night’s rest, and with a lover’s kiss for me bestowed so happily, yet with something of mischievous reserve—­all so charming!

Our thoughts were fresh for the discussion of the marriage.  Mrs. Clayton thought that the wedding might take place at once, within a day or two, at least, if I would not insist upon returning to Chicago for a few weeks, or until she had opportunity to close the house preparatory to her visit to North Carolina.  This arrangement quite suited me.  I wanted to have Douglas present at the wedding.  So I hastened away to tell Douglas what my plans were.