f venison at _ma mere's_, never seemed to think anything about it,
or to like me the worse for not knowing where I came from. It's only
since I came into society here, sir, that I am troubled. It troubles
me very much," added Verty, his head drooping.

"Zounds!" cried Roundjacket, betrayed by his feelings into an oath,
"don't let it, Verty! You're a fine, honest fellow, whether you're an
Indian or not; and if I had a daughter--which," added Mr. Roundjacket,
"I'm glad to say I have not--you should have her for the asking. Who
cares! you're a gentleman, every inch of you!"

"Am I?" said Verty; "I'm glad to hear that. I thought I was'nt. And
so, sir, you don't think there's any objection to my marrying?"

"Hum!--the subject of marrying again!"

"Yes, sir," Verty replied, smiling; "I thought I'd marry Redbud."

"Who? that little Redbud!"

"Yes, sir," said Verty, "I think I'm in love with her."

Roundjacket stood amazed at such extraordinary simplicity.

"Sir," he said, "whether you are an Indian by blood or not, you
certainly are by nature. Extraordinary! who ever heard of a civilized
individual using such language!"

"But you know I am not civilized, sir."

Roundjacket shook his head.

"There's the objection," he said; "it is absolutely necessary that a
man who becomes the husband of a young lady should be civilized. But
let us dismiss this subject--Redbud! Excuse me, Mr. Verty, but you are
a very extraordinary young man;--to have you for--well, well. Don't
allude to that again."

"To what, sir?"

"To Redbud."

"Why, sir?"

"Because I have nothing to do with it. I can only give you my general
ideas on the subject of marriage. If you apply them, that is your
affair. A pretty thing on an oath of discovery," murmured the poetical
lawyer.

Verty had not heard the last words; he was reflecting. Roundjacket
watched him with a strange, wistful look, which had much kindness and
feeling in it.

"But why not marry?" said Verty, at last; "it seems to me sir, that
people ought to marry; I think I could find a great many good reasons
for it."

"Could you; how many?"

"A hundred, I suppose."

"And I could find a thousand against it," said Roundjacket. "Mark
me, sir--except under certain circumstances, a man is not the same
individual after marrying--he deteriorates."

"Anan?" said Verty.

"I mean, that in most cases it is for the worse--the change of
condition.

"How, sir?"

"Observe the married man,"