“Oh, Miss Sallianna!”

“Go sir—­go!”

“Yes, ma’am—­but are you well enough?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Have a glass of water?”

“No, sir!”

“I’m so sorry I said anything to—­”

“There is reason, sir.”

“You don’t hate me?”

“No, sir!” said Miss Sallianna, relenting, and growing gradually calmer; “I pity and forgive you.”

“Will you shake hands?”

“Yes, sir—­I am forgiving, sir—­”

“At your time of life you know, ma’am, we ought’nt to—­”

Unfortunate Verty; the storm which was subsiding arose again in all its original strength.

“Leave me!” cried Miss Sallianna, with a tragic gesture.

“Yes, ma’am—­but—­”

“Mr. Verty?”

“Ma’am!”

“Your presence is opprobrious.”

“Oh, Miss Sallianna!”

“Yes, sir—­intolerant.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Therefore, sir, go and leave me to my thoughts again—­go, sir, and make merry with your conjugal companions!”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Verty; “but I did’nt mean to worry you.  Please forgive me—­”

“Go, sir!”

Verty saw that this tragic gesture indicated a determination which could not be disputed.

He therefore put on his hat, and having now caught sight of Fanny and
Redbud, bowed to his companion, and went—­into the garden.

Miss Sallianna gasped, and sinking into a chair, fell into violent hysterics, in which numerous allusions were made to vipers.  Poor Verty!

CHAPTER XXXV.

HOW MISS FANNY MADE MERRY WITH THE PASSION OF MR. VERTY.

Verty approached the two young girls and took off his hat.

“Good morning, Redbud,” he said, gently.

Redbud blushed slightly, but, carried back to the old days by Verty’s forest costume, quickly extended her hand, and forgetting Miss Lavinia’s advice, replied, with a delightful mixture of kindness and tenderness: 

“I’m very glad to see you, Verty.”

The young man’s face became radiant; he completely lost sight of the charge against the young lady made in Miss Sallianna’s letter.  He was too happy to ever think of it; and would have stared Redbud out of countenance for very joy and satisfaction, had not Miss Fanny, naturally displeased at the neglect with which she had been treated, called attention to herself.

“Hum!” said that young lady, indignantly, “I suppose, Mr. Verty, I am too small to be seen.  Pray, acknowledge the fact of my existence, sir.”

“Anan?” said Verty, smiling.

Fanny stamped her pretty foot, and burst out laughing.

“It’s easy to see what is the matter with you!” she laughed.

“Why, there’s nothing,” said Verty.

“Yes, there is.”

“What?”

“You’re in love.”

Verty laughed and blushed.