."

"And consequently very innocent and inexperienced. I am sure you will
take charge of my education."

"La! Mr. Ashley."

"I mean, Miss Sallianna, the education, not of my mind--that is
finished and perfect: Oh, no! not that! The education of my heart!"

Ralph was getting on at headlong speed.

"Do you consent?" he said.

"La--really--indeed--"

"Why not, oh, beautiful lady--"

"How can I ever--so inexperienced--so innocent a person as myself can
scarcely--"

And Miss Sallianna fell into a flutter.

"Then Fanny must."

"Oh, no!" observed Miss Sallianna, with vivacity.

"Why not?" said Ralph.

"She could not--"

"Could not!"

"She is too young, and then besides--"

"Besides, Miss Sallianna?"

"She is already taken up with her affair with Mr. Verty."

"What!" cried Ralph, beginning to have the tables turned upon him, and
to suffer for his quizzing.

"She is evidently in love with Mr. Verty," said Miss Sallianna,
compassionately; "that is, the child fancies that she feels a rare and
inexpressive delight in his presence. Such children!"

"Yes, madam!" said Ralph, frowning.

"Especially that silly young man."

"Verty?"

"Yes; he is very presumptuous, too. Just think that he presumed
to--to--make love to me this morning;" and Miss Sallianna's
countenance was covered with a maiden blush. "I could scarcely
persuade him that his attentions were not agreeable."

And Miss Sallianna looked dignified and ladylike.

"Fanny in love with him," said Ralph, reflecting.

"Look through the window," said Miss Sallianna, smiling.

Ralph obeyed, and beheld Verty and Fanny sitting on a knoll, in the
merriest conversation;--that is to say, Fanny was thus talking. Young
ladies always begin to converse very loud when visitors arrive--for
what reason has not yet been discovered. Verty's absent look in the
direction of Fanny's face might very well have been considered the
stare of a lover.

"Do you doubt any longer?"

"Oh, no!"

"Then, Mr. Ashley--"

"Yes, madam."

"In future you will--"

"Care nothing for--"

"The person--"

"Who seems to me the concentration of folly and everything of that
description--no, madam! In future I will carefully avoid her!"

And with this ambiguous speech, Mr. Ralph rose, begged Miss Sallianna
to excuse him for a short time, and making her a low and devoted bow,
took his way into the garden, and toward the spot where Fanny and
Verty were sitting.

CHAPTER X