of hearts, Charlie gets
beyond his depth. He has nothing to say."

"Especially tender hearts," said Charlie; "I have had a little
experience of a flinty article or two of that sort."

"Charlie, I won't have you two quarrelling," said Graeme, laughing.
"Rose is right. There is just a grain or two of truth in what they have
been saying," she added, turning to Mr Snow. "Mr Green is a real live
Yankee, with many valuable and excellent qualities. A little hard
perhaps, a little worldly. But you should hear him speak of his mother.
You would sympathise with him then, Charlie. He told me all about his
mother, one evening that I met him at Grove House, I think. He told me
about the old homestead, and his father's saw-mill, and the log
school-house; and his manner of speaking quite raised him, in my
opinion. Arthur is wrong in saying he cares for nothing but money."

"But, who is he?" asked Mr Snow, with the air of one much interested;
His question was this time addressed to Fanny, who had seated herself on
the window seat close by her husband, and she replied eagerly,--

"Oh, he is a rich merchant--ever so rich. He is going to give up
business, and travel in Europe."

"For the improvement of his mind," said Arthur.

"I don't know what he goes for, but he is very rich, and may do what he
likes. He has built the handsomest house in the State, Miss Smith tells
me. Oh! he is ever so rich, and he is a bachelor."

"I want to know?" said Mr Snow, accepting Fanny's triumphant climax, as
she gave it, with great gravity.

"He is a great friend of mine, and a great admirer of Miss Elliott,"
said Mrs Grove, with her lips intending that her face should say much
more.

"Do tell?" said Mr Snow.

"A singular and eccentric person you see he must be," said Will.

"A paradoxical specimen of a live Yankee. Don't frown, Miss Rose. Mrs
Grove's statement proves my assertion," said Charlie.

"If you would like to meet him, Mr Snow, dine with us on Friday," said
Mrs Grove. "I am quite sure you will like and admire each other. I
see many points of resemblance between you. Well, then, I shall expect
you _all_. Miss Elliott, you will not disappoint me, I hope."

"But so large a party! Mrs Grove, consider how many there are of us,"
said Graeme, who knew as well as though she were speaking aloud, that
the lady was saying that same thing to herself, and that she was
speculating as to the necessity of enlarging the table.

"