His mother who had never ceased to visit the house marked the change with great satisfaction and prevailed upon his father to invite Charles and Jeanette to a New Year's dinner (only a family gathering).
Jeanette being unwell excused herself from going, and Charles went alone.

Jeanette felt a fearful foreboding when she saw him leaving the door, and said to herself, "I hope his father will not offer him wine.

I am so afraid that something will happen to him, and yet I hated to persuade him not to go.

His mother might think I was averse to his reconciliation with his father." "It looks very natural to have Charles with us again," said Mrs.
Ro[maine] looking fondly on her son.
"Yes, it seems like old times, when I always had my seat next to yours." "And I hope," said his father, "it will never be vacant so long again." The dinner hour passed on enlivened by social chat and pleasant reminiscences, and there was nothing to mar the harmony of the occasion.
Mrs.Romaine had been careful to keep everything from the table that would be apt to awaken the old appetite for liquor, but after dinner Mr.
Romaine invited Charles into the library to smoke.

"Here," said he, handing him a cigar, "is one of the finest brands I have smoked lately, and by the way here is some rare old wine, more than 25 years old, which was sent to me yesterday by an old friend and college class mate of mine.[9] Let me pour you out a glass." Charles suddenly became agitated, but as his father's back was turned to him, pouring out the wine, he did not notice the sudden paling of his cheek, and the hesitation of his manner.