your impudence--"

"Is very reasonable," said Ralph, filling up the sentence; "but
suppose you dry your feet, and yourself generally, as Miss Redbud is
doing. That is more profitable than a discussion with me."

This advice seemed excellent, and Fanny determined to follow it,
though she did not yield in the tongue contest without a number of
"hums!" which finally, however, died away like the mutterings of the
storm without.

The good-humored old woman to whom the humble mansion belonged, had
kindled a bundle of twigs in the large fire-place; and before the
cheerful blaze the young girls and their cavaliers were soon seated,
their wet garments smoking, and the owners of the garments laughing.

The good-humored old dame would have furnished them with a change, but
this was declared unnecessary, as the storm seemed already exhausted,
and they would, ere long, be able to continue their way.

Indeed, the storm had been one of those quick and violent outbursts of
the sky, which seem to empty the clouds instantly almost, as though
the pent up waters were shut in by a floodgate, shattered by the
thunder and the lightning. Soon, only a few heavy drops continued
to fall, and the setting sun, bursting in splendor from the western
clouds, poised its red ball of fire upon the horizon, and poured a
flood of crimson on the dancing streamlets, the glittering grass, and
drenched foliage of the hill-side.

Redbud rose, smiling.

"I think we can go now," she said, "I am afraid to stay any longer--my
clothes are very wet, and I have not health enough to risk losing
any."

With which the girl, with another smile, tied the ribbon of her chip
hat under her chin, and looked at Verty.

That gentleman rose.

"I wish my coat had been thicker," he said, "but I can't help it. Yes,
yes, Redbud, indeed we must get back. It would'nt do for you to get
sick."

"And me, sir!" said Fanny.

"You?" said Verty, smiling.

"Yes, sir; I suppose it would do for me?"

"I don't know."

"Hum!"

"I can tell you, dear," said Ralph, "and I assure you the thing would
not answer under any circumstances. Come, let us follow Miss Redbud."

They all thanked the smiling old dame, and issuing from the cottage,
took their way through the sparkling fields and along the wet paths
toward home again. They reached the Bower of Nature just at twilight,
and entering through the garden were about to pass in, when they were
arrested by a spectacle on the rear