women of sweet and symmetrical characters, and fair and
full-blooming souls."

On this occasion George Ludlow seemed to regard Fanny Fabens with
increased attention; and as their glances more than once met, an
artless, innocent blush would express on each face the timidity of
their natures, if not the emotions of their hearts.

The truth to tell, George had contracted for Fanny an affection which
he dared to disclose no more significantly, than by those expressions
of the eye and face, which would not be concealed; and since the
conversation in the house, he had scarcely been absent from her
thoughts. She considered his pure life and enlightened mind, and
inquired, "Where is the young man that has more nobleness than he?"
She thought of his kindness to his parents, and admired the example.
She called to mind his love of nature, and books, his efforts of
improvement, even amid tasks of diligent toil; and she honored him in
her soul; honored him the more for his own honor of his calling; and
began to return a kindling flame of that affection, which she conceived
he might indulge for her. But a few words were exchanged between them,
however, and it remains for some future chapter to relate the result of
those growing loves.

The men rose from their luncheon, when a cool and reviving hour had
been taken, and while the women were departing with William to the
house, and while Fabens remained under the maple, Merchant Fairbanks
came up, and after the usual salutations, he talked a moment with the
ladies, and then made Fabens an offer for his wheat crop, and commenced
a pleasant talk.

XX.

MERCHANT FAIRBANKS.

Merchant Fairbanks sold goods in Summerfield, and undertook large
dealings with the farmers there; buying their crops and bartering in
smaller transactions, for butter and cheese, wool and feathers, wood
and ashes, eggs and paper rags. He had tarried in town only two or
three years, and few were intimately acquainted with him, although many
supposed that they knew him well; and few men enjoyed more confidence
or love.

He possessed a tall and imposing person; a face that all declared
"fine," and "noble;" a large and glowing chestnut eye; a serene and
inspiring presence; and hair so dark, that it reflected at times stray
tints of purple, and was lustrous and smooth as a blackbird's wing, He
was scrupulous in the arrangement of his attire, and still there was a
studied contrivance of modest dignity abo