e Vinnie had never seen so pretty a baby, such heavenly eyes, or
such cunning little hands.

"The hands are little," said Jack, in a voice which had an unaccustomed
tremor in it; "but they are stronger than a giant's; they have hold of
all our heart-strings."

"I never knew a boy so fond of a baby as Jack is," said Annie.

"O, but I shouldn't be so fond of any other baby!" Jack replied, bending
down to give the little thing a fond caress.

As they went out to tea, there was a happy light on all their faces, as
if some new, deep note of harmony had just been struck in their hearts.

At tea Vinnie made the acquaintance of Annie's brother and husband, and
Jack's friends, Mr. Forrest Felton and Mr. Percy Lanman, and--so
pleasant and genial were their ways--felt at home in their presence at
once. This was a great relief to her; for she felt very diffident at
meeting men whom she had heard Jack praise so highly.

Any one could see that Vinnie was not accustomed to what is called
society; but her native manners were so simple and sincere, and there
was such an air of fresh, young, joyous, healthy life about her, that
she produced an effect upon beholders which the most artificially
refined young lady might have envied.

Jack watched her and Annie a good deal slyly; and there was in his
expression a curious mixture of pride and anxiety, as if he were trying
to look at each with the other's eyes, and thinking how they must like
each other, yet having some fears lest they might not see all he saw to
admire.

Vinnie was made to talk a good deal of her journey; and she told the
story with so much simplicity, speaking with unfeigned gratitude and
affection of the friendships she had made, and touching with quiet
mirthfulness upon the droll events, as if she hardly knew herself that
they were droll, that all--and especially Jack--were charmed.

But she had not the least idea of "showing off." Indeed, she thought
scarcely at all of what others thought of her; but said often to
herself, "What a beautiful home Jack has, and what pleasant
companions!"

After tea she must see more of the baby; then Jack wanted to show her
the greenhouses and the nurseries; and then all settled down to a social
evening.

"Vinnie is pretty tired," said Jack, "and I think a little music will
please her better than anything else."

And so a little concert was got up for her entertainment.

Forrest Felton was a fine performer on the flute; Mr.