n--"

"Oh, no--!" cried Fanny, laughing.

"I mean," Redbud went on, with a slight color in her cheek, "I mean,
to amuse himself with compliments and pretty speeches--if Miss
Sallianna thinks he is, she is mistaken."

"Odious old thing!--to be flirting with all the young men who come to
see _us_!" said Fanny.

"No, no," Redbud went on, "I think you are mistaken. But as you have
mentioned Verty, please promise me one thing, Fanny."

"Promise! certainly, Reddy; just ask me whatever you choose. If it's
to cut off my head, or say I think Miss Sallianna pretty, I'll do
it--such is my devotion to you!" laughed Fanny.

Redbud smiled.

"Only promise me to amuse Verty, when he comes."

"Amuse him!"

"Yes."

"What do you mean."

"I mean," Redbud said, sighing, "that I don't think I shall be able to
do so."

"What!"

"Fanny, you cannot understand," said the young girl, with a slight
blush; "I hope, if you are my real friend, as you say, that you will
talk with Verty, when he comes, and make his time pass agreeably."

Redbud's head sank.

Fanny gazed at her for a moment in silence, and with a puzzled
expression, said:

"What has happened, Reddy, between you and Verty--anything?"

"Oh, no."

"You are blushing! Something must have happened."

"Fanny--" murmured Redbud, and then stopped.

"Have you quarreled? You would'nt explain that scene in the parlor the
other day, when I made him tie my shoe. You have quarreled!"

"Oh, no--no!"

"I'm glad to hear it," cried Fanny, "though I could easily have made it
up. I would have gone to Mr. Verty, and told him that he was a wretch,
or something of that sort, and made him come and be friends again."

Redbud smiled, and said:

"We have not quarreled; but I don't think I shall be able to amuse
him very much, if he comes this morning, as I think he will. Please
promise me--I don't like Verty to be unhappy."

And the ingenuous face of the young girl was covered with blushes.

"I suppose not!--you and Verty are very good friends!" cried Fanny,
looking out of the window, and not observing Redbud's confusion; "but
suppose _my_ cavalier comes--what then, madam?"

"Oh, then I absolve you."

"No, indeed!"

"'No, indeed' what?"

"I won't be absolved."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know but I prefer Mr. Verty to that conceited cousin
of mine."

"What cousin--not Ralph?"

"Yes; I don't fancy him much."

"I thought you were great favorites of each other."

"Yo