"I cannot say that I differ from you very widely," the young man said, thoughtfully. "But, if you call Melinda 'common,' where shall I go to find one who may be called 'uncommon?'"
"I can point you to one."
"Say on."
"You have met Fanny Clayton?"
"Fanny Clayton!" ejaculated the young man, taken by surprise, the blood rising to his face. "O yes, I have met her."
"She is no common girl, Henry," Mrs. Florence said, in a serious voice. "She has not her equal in my circle of acquaintances."
"Nor in mine either," replied the young man, recovering himself. "But you would not feel satisfied to have your son address Miss Clayton?"
"And why not, pray? Henry, I have never met with a young lady whom I would rather see your wife than Fanny Clayton."
"And I," rejoined the young man with equal warmth, "never met with any one whom I could truly love until I saw her sweet young face."
"Then never think again of one like Melinda Marygold. You could not be rationally happy with her."