Matthew stepped aside; and she placed her lips to his ear, and whispered, “What do you think of Miss Trapper?”

“A very pretty girl,” said Matthew.

“So she is; and one of the best-hearted creatures that ever lived.  A little singular in one respect, perhaps.”

“What is that?”

“Oh! she speaks out her mind—­that’s all.  But then you always know where to find her.”

“She has not spoken any of it to me, at all events,” said Matthew.  “I can’t get her to talk.”

“That’s because she’s modest.  Cultivate her, and you’ll find her a splendid girl.  Between you and me, I have recommended you to her, and, depend upon it, she will meet you halfway.”

“All right,” whispered Matthew, gratefully.

Here the full voice of old Van Quintem announced dinner, for which the elderly ladies had been demurely waiting for some time.  Two by two the bridal party and the guests marched to the banquet, spread in the long, broad dining room, which was one of the best features of this sturdy, old-fashioned house.

What the bill of fare was; what tunes the band played in the library; what kind things were said to the bride and bridegroom; what compliments were breathed into young female ears, and not rebuked; what vows of love were exchanged; what courteous remarks of the old school were made by the bachelor Bank President; what ancient jokes were passed off by the wits of the party as new; what abominable conundrums were then and there honestly invented; what overwhelming confusion Uncle Ith experienced, when he found himself seated next to a lady who talked loud at him, and how he wished himself at home, one hundred feet from the ground; what complete happiness was felt and expressed by everybody, but especially by old Van Quintem and Marcus Wilkeson; what improbable stories were told by Mr. Frump; what philosophical sayings uttered on the spur of the moment by Fayette Overtop; what slightly impertinent but always amiable remarks advanced by Wesley Tiffles;—­all this might be imagined, with a slight mental effort; but not so Matthew Maltboy’s new misfortune.

Profiting by Mrs. Frump’s friendly suggestion, Matthew had exhausted all his resources of conversation in an effort to interest Miss Trapper.  She had listened, and had returned faultlessly proper replies, and had conducted herself so much like all the other young women that Matthew had ever met, that he was puzzled to guess in what respect her singularity consisted.  He longed to see a piece of that mind, which, according to Mrs. Frump, she was in the habit of exhibiting to people.  He was soon gratified.

Miss Trapper had remarked, that, in a few days, she was going to visit her friends in Chemung County, and would probably remain there three months.  It struck Matthew as the right time to make a point.

“Then I shall not see you, Miss Trapper, during all that time!” he said, with a sigh.