ng to the very marrow of his
bones.

"I think you're _very, very_ unkind," said Minnie, "and I really don't
see how I can _ever_ speak to you again."

This was too much. Girasole turned away. He rushed down stairs. He
wandered frantically about. He looked in all directions for a chair.
There was plenty of wood certainly--for all around he saw the vast
forest--but of what use was it? He could not transform a tree into a
chair. He communicated his difficulty to some of the men. They shook
their heads helplessly. At last he saw the stump of a tree which was
of such a shape that it looked as though it might be used as a seat.
It was his only resource, and he seized it. Calling two or three of
the men, he had the stump carried to the old house. He rushed up
stairs to acquaint Minnie with his success, and to try to console her.
She listened in coldness to his hasty words. The men who were carrying
the stump came up with a clump and a clatter, breathing hard, for the
stump was very heavy, and finally placed it on the landing in front of
Minnie's door. On reaching that spot it was found that it would not go
in.

Minnie heard the noise and came out. She looked at the stump, then at
the men and then at Girasole.

"What is this for?" she asked.

"Eet--eet ees for a chair."

"A chair!" exclaimed Minnie. "Why, it's nothing but a great big,
horrid, ugly old stump, and--"

Her remarks ended in a scream. She turned and ran back into the room.

"What--what is de mattaire?" cried the Count, looking into the room
with a face pale with anxiety.

"Oh, take it away! take it away!" cried Minnie, in terror.

"What? what?"

"Take it away! take it away!" she repeated.

"But eet ees for you--eet ees a seat."

"I don't want it. I won't have it!" cried Minnie. "It's full of horrid
ants and things. And it's dreadful--and _very, very_ cruel in you to
bring them up here just to _tease_ me, when you _know_ I hate them so.
Take it away! take it away! oh, do please take it away! And oh, do
please go away yourself, and leave me with dear, darling Kitty. _She_
never teases me. She is _always_ kind."

Girasole turned away once more, in fresh trouble. He had the stump
carried off, and then he wandered away. He was quite at a loss what to
do. He was desperately in love, and it was a very small request for
Minnie to make, and he was in that state of mind when it would be a
happiness to grant her slightest wish; but here he found himself in a