hat young lady.

The hysterics did not last long.. Miss Sallianna had a large and
useful assortment of feminine weapons of this description, and was
proficient in the use of all--from the embarrassed, simpering laugh
and maiden blush, with down-cast eyes, raised suddenly, at times,
toward the "beloved object," then abased again--to the more artistic
and effective weapons of female influence, tears, sobs, convulsions,
hysterics and the rest. In each and all of these accomplishments was
Miss Sallianna versed.

The hysterics, therefore, did not last long; the eyes grew serene
again very soon; and contenting herself with a few spiteful looks
toward the group in the garden, which glances she accompanied with a
determined and vigorous rubbing of her antique nose, Miss Sallianna
gently raised her fan, and seeing a cavalier approaching from the
town, assumed her habitual air of languishing and meditative grace.

This cavalier was our friend Ralph, who, having deposited Mr. Jinks
upon the earth before they emerged from the willows in sight of the
Bower of Nature, now came on, laughing, and ready for any adventure
which should present itself.

Ralph drew up before the house, tied his horse, and entered.

Miss Sallianna rose graciously, smiling.

"Good morning, sir," said the lady, rolling her eyes toward the
ceiling, and leaning her head on her right shoulder, "we have a
charming day."

"Oh, charming! but that is not all, madam," said Ralph, smiling
satirically, as he bent profoundly over the hand given to him.

"Not all, sir?" sighed the lady.

"There is something still more charming."

"What is that?"

"The dear companion with whom good fortune blesses me."

This was so very direct, that Miss Sallianna actually blushed.

"Oh, no--" she murmured.

"Yes, yes!"

"You men--"

"Are sincere--"

"Oh, no! such flatterers."

"Flatterers, madam?" said Ralph, laughing, "that is true of some
of us, but not of me; I am so perfectly sincere, and clad in the
simplicity of my nature to that degree, that what I say is the pure
out-gushing of my heart--ahem!"

The lady smiled, and motioned toward a settee.

"The beauties of nature--"

"Yes, my dear madam."

"Are--ahem!"

"Yes, yes."

"So much more beautiful than those of art," sighed Miss Sallianna,
contemplating the ceiling, as though nature had taken up her post
there to be gazed at.

"I fully agree with you," said Ralph, "they are."

"Oh, yes--they are--I