Buoyant with hope of the future, without hardly understanding why, and with a blind belief that his investment would yield him a splendid return, he began to feel that it was indeed a lucky day when the chief of the Banner sent him to the northwest, and still luckier when he fell in with the members of the Waterville Town Company. That afternoon, accompanied by Homer Winthrop, he called on Miss Virginia Bonifield. That young lady received her callers with a cultured grace and dignity that would have done honor to even one who had seen much more of the world. She was rather tall and a pronounced brunette. Her well poised head was in keeping with her graceful figure. One could not say she was strikingly beautiful, but there was some [124] thing in her face as well as manner that made one forget to desire her different than the interesting person she was. Both vivacious and intelligent, she possessed the rare charm, in her conversation, of reflecting the mood of those about her. Addressing Vance, she said: “Louise has written me so much about you that I have been quite impatient to form your acquaintance. I presume that papa is still working away on Gray Rocks?” 0132 “Yes,” replied Vance, “he will soon reach the 300 foot level.” [125] “And the old story will be told again, I dare say,” said Virginia, laughing. “Miss Virginia is not an enthusiast,” said Winthrop, “in regard to untold millions that have not yet been discovered in mining shafts.” “My observations,” retorted Virginia, “have caused me to be less sentimental, if not more practical, than my good sister Louise.” “I fear,” said Vance, “you do not share in your father’s belief in regard to the future of Gray Rocks?” “I am a Bonifield,” replied Virginia, “and believe implicitly in my father; and, in my way, love him as tenderly, I dare say, as any daughter ever loved a parent, but sometimes I fear he is mistaken—but, to change the subject,” she continued, “how do you like the west?” “I am very favorably impressed with what I have seen. In the east we have many brilliants that are not diamonds; in the west we have many rough ashlars that are diamonds unpolished.” “Thank you,” replied Virginia, “I consider that a compliment.” “It is our intention,” said Winthrop, “to claim Mr. Gilder as a western man before another year; and if Waterville continues to grow, as we expect it will, we may persuade him to edit our first daily paper.” Soon after, they rose to go. “I shall hope,” said Miss Virginia, “that I will be honored by a call from you whenever you are in Waterville.” “Thank you,” replied Vance, “it will afford me great pleasure.” Winthrop remained behind a few moments, while Vance walked up and down the sidewalk. The sun was [126] well toward the western horizon. A bluish haze lay against the mountains in the distance. It was an Indian summer afternoon, full of quiet rest, with a gentle, invigorating mountain breeze as a constant tonic.