let."

"Who beguiled himself into this resort of innocence, and attacked my
suspicious nature--and now casts reproaches on my station in society
and my youth!"

"Oh, ma'am!" cried Verty.

"Don't speak to me, sir!

"No, ma'am."

"Your very presence is deletrious."

"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, "