at
business is that of yours?" But her lips said, "Now, really, how can
I?"

"When a girl's engaged"--Rachel sighed as she spoke--"she doesn't care
much about society."

Rose smiled.

"At least that was the way with me." Rachel's carmine lips gave a little
quiver at the corners. "I suppose _you_ feel like that."

"Me? I feel just as usual."

"But you're so English, nothing would disturb _you_."

Rose laughed aloud. "I should shriek if a digger touched me," she said.

"But it was almost worth the fright, dear." Rachel leaned forward
confidentially. "First, he put me on his horse, and we forded the river
together; then, he took me home and was so kind. I _do_ think you're
_such_ a lucky girl."

"Me? Why?"

Suddenly Rachel's manner altered. Bursting into a rippling laugh, she
raised her parasol, and skittishly poked Rose in the ribs.

"How very close some people are," she exclaimed. "But you might as well
own the soft impeachment, and then all the girls could congratulate
you."

The thought went through Rose's mind, that if the good wishes of her
acquaintances were like this girl's perhaps they might well be spared.
She was completing her task by ladling the plums from the big pan into
the array of jars, and she bent over her work in order to hide her
annoyance.

"And I hear he's _so_ rich," continued Rachel. "He's had such wonderful
luck on the diggings. Papa says he's one of the best marks in Timber
Town--barring old Mr. Crewe, of course."

Rose gazed, open-eyed, at her visitor.

"How much do you think he is worth?" asked Rachel, unabashed.

"I really don't know. I have no notion whom you mean."

Again the rippling laugh rang through the kitchen.

"Really, this is too funny. Own up: wasn't Mr. Scarlett very lucky?"

"Oh! Mr. Scarlett? I believe he got _some_ gold--he showed me some."

"Surely, he had it weighed?"

"I suppose so--I thought there was something in the paper about it."

"Was all that gold Mr. Scarlett's?"

"Yes, about as much as would fill this saucepan. He poured it out on the
dining-room table, and Captain Sartoris and my father stared at it till
their eyes almost dropped out."

"You lucky girl! They say he gave you the dandiest ring."

Rose mutely held out her unadorned fingers. When they had been closely
inspected, she said, "You see, this is all rubbish about my being
engaged. As for Mr. Scarlett, I have reason to think that he left his
heart behind him in the Old Country