She watched the girl closely during the interview which followed. Many girls are pretty and lady-like, not many are to be found as well educated as Mell Creecy, or as thoroughly equipped by both nature and education to entertain, to amuse, to fascinate. This was that part of Mell which "tuck arter her ole daddy," as old Jacob was wont to say. Even Clara Rutland's manners were not more easy and irreproachable, and Clara had never been half so ready in speech and apt in reply. It was a matter of agreeable wonder to Mrs. Rutland how a hard-working uneducated farmer could have such a daughter, and she wondered also if this phenomenal social prodigy could be found so strongly marked in any other land under the sun. Obeying an instinct of curiosity, the visitor inquired: "Your father and mother, Melville, are they here? Will they see us?" "Not if I can help it!" inwardly. Outwardly very different. "So sorry! Mother is not well to-day. She is rarely well, and rarely sees anyone. Father is as usual busy upon the farm." "Rube says your father is a very thorough farmer," remarked the visitor. "Doesn't a good farmer make money out of it," queried Mell, glancing at her betrothed with a doubtful little smile, "just as a lawyer does out of law, and a doctor out of physic? The earth is full of gold, and ought not a good digger to strike it somewhere--some time? Father, at any rate, is devoted to farming, as an occupation, and is happy in it, getting out of the ground more of God's secrets than the rest of us find among the stars." "That is a pretty idea, Mellville," said Mrs. Rutland. "Bless you!" exclaimed Rube, "that's nothing! She's full of 'em!" Full of them, yes; and feeding his honest soul upon them, in place of the real bread of affection. The visit was long and pleasant, and at its close Mell accompanied her guests to the very door of their carriage. There Mrs. Rutland again touched the girl's soft cheek with her high-bred lips. Her foot was upon the stepping-stone, when with a sudden thought, she turned once more. "Mellville, we are to be very gay next week, a house full of company; but I suspect we shall be honored with very little of Rube's society unless we first secure yours. Will you come, then, and make us a little visit?" "You are kind," answered she, coloring beautifully with intensity of gratification. "Most kind! I will come with exceeding pleasure." These were perhaps the first unstudied words she had uttered in Mrs. Rutland's presence. There was no doubt about her wanting to go to the Bigge House. She had been wanting to go there a long time. A veritable flood-tide of joy filled her being at this speedy consummation of her dearest hopes, but it was not of this she thought at that moment, nor of Mrs. Rutland, nor of Rube. "I will see Jerome," was what Mell thought. "Sweetest of mothers!" said Rube inside the vehicle.