hrubbery, and appeared in full view.

Miss Sallianna was a young lady of thirty-two or three, with long
corkscrew curls, a wiry figure--a smile, of the description called
"simper," on her lips, and an elegant mincing carriage of the person
as she moved. She carried a fan, which seemed to serve for a number of
purposes: to raise artificial breezes, cover imaginary blushes, and
flirt itself against the hands or other portions of the persons of
gentlemen making complimentary speeches.

She displayed some temporary embarrassment upon seeing Redbud and
Verty; and especially stared at that young gentleman.

Mr. Jinks was more self-possessed.

"Ah, my dear sir!" he said, stalking toward Verty, and grimacing, at
the same time, at Redbud, "are you there, and with the fairest of
her--hem!"

And Mr. Jinks stopped, nearly caught in the meshes of his gallantry.

"Yes, this is me, and I've been talking with Redbud," said Verty; "is
that Miss Sallianna?"

The lady had recovered her simper; and now flirted her fan as
gracefully as ever.

"See how your reputation has gone far and wide," said Mr. Jinks, with
a fascinating grimace.

"You know you were talking of her when--how do you do, Miss
Sallianna," said Verty, holding out his hand.

"La!" said the fair one, inserting the points of her fingers into
Verty's palm, "and Mr. Jinks was talking of me? What did he say,
sir,--I suppose it was in town."

"No, ma'am," said Verty, "it was at the gate, when I came to see
Redbud--the pigeon showed me the way. He said you were something--but
I've forgot."

"The paragon of beauties and the pearl of loveliness," suggested Mr.
Jinks.

"I don't think it was that," Verty replied, "but it was something
pretty--prettier than what you said just now, when you were courting
Miss Sallianna, you know."

Mr. Jinks cleared his throat--Miss Sallianna blushed.

"Really--" said Mr. Jinks.

"What children!" said the lady, with a patronizing air; "Reddy, do you
know your lesson?"

By which question, Miss Sallianna evidently intended to reduce Miss
Redbud to her proper position of child.

"Yes, ma'am," said Redbud "and Mrs. Scowley said I might come in
here."

"With this--young man?"

"Yes, ma'am. He is a very old friend of mine."

"Indeed!" simpered the lady.

"Are you not, Verty?"

But Verty was intently watching Longears, who was trying to insert his
nose between two bars of the garden gate.

"_Anan_?" he said.

"La, what does h