"Yes, ma'am."

The lady sniffed with indignation.

"I meant," said Verty, "that as you had very few beaux here--I believe you call 'em beaux--I could come so. I know that Mr. Jinks comes, but he is too fierce to be agreeable, and is not very nice, I should think."

Miss Sallianna darted a glance of scorn at the unlucky Verty, which would have transfixed that gentleman; but unfortunately he did not see it.

"Yes," he went on, "there is a great deal of difference, Miss Sallianna, between coming to see you, who are only a schoolmistress, and hav'nt much fine company, and the rich ladies;--then you know I thought that the difference between our ages--you being so much older than I. am, about thirty or thirty-five, I suppose--"

The cup was full.

"Mr. Verty," gasped Miss Sallianna, "you will please to end our interview at once, sir!--this language, sir, is intolerated, sir!--if you wish to insult me, sir, you can remain!--I consider your insinuations, sir, as unworthy of a gentleman. The viper!" cried Miss Sallianna, becoming hysterical, and addressing her observations to the ceiling; "the viper which I warmed in my bosom, and who turns and rents me."

Which was very ungallant in the viper not to say extraordinary, as it implied that vipers dwelt in houses "to 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 gla.s.s 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 f.a.n.n.y 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 x.x.xV.

HOW MISS f.a.n.n.y MADE MERRY WITH THE Pa.s.sION 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 f.a.n.n.y, naturally displeased at the neglect with which she had been treated, called attention to herself.