r them in a golden cadence
of salubrious delights," said Miss Sallianna.

Her visitor inclined her head.

"If we could only exclude completely all thoughts of the opposite
sex--"

Miss Lavinia listened with some interest to this peroration. "If we
could live far from the vain world of man--"

The solemn head indicated a coincidence of opinion.

"If we could but dedicate ourselves wholly to the care of our little
flock, we should be felicitous," continued Miss Sallianna. "But, alas!
they will come to see us, madam, and we cannot exclude the dangerous
enemy. I am often obliged to send word that I am not 'at home' to the
beaux, and yet that is very cruel. But duty is my guide, and I bow to
its bequests."

With which words, Miss Sallianna fixed her eyes resignedly upon
the ceiling, and was silent. If Miss Lavinia had labored under the
impression that Miss Sallianna designed to utter any complaints about
Redbud, she did not show that such had been her expectation. She
only bowed and said, politely, that if her little cousin Redbud was
disengaged, she should like to see her.

"Oh yes! she is disengaged," said Miss Sallianna, with a languishing
smile; "the dear child has been roaming over the garden and around the
ensuing hills since the first appearance of the radiant orb of Sol,
madam. I think such perambulations healthy."

Miss Lavinia said that she agreed with her.

"Reddy, as I call your lovely little niece--your cousin, eh?--is one
of my most cherished pupils, madam; and I discover in her so many
charming criterions of excellence, that I am sure she will grow up an
object of interest to everybody. There she is out on the lawn. I will
call her, madam, and if you would dispense with my society for a short
time, I will again return, and we will discuss my favorite subject,
the beauties of nature."

Miss Lavinia having, by a solemn movement of the head, indicated her
willingness to languish without her hostess' society for a short
period, Miss Sallianna rose, and made her exit from the apartment,
with upraised eyes and gently smiling lips.

Five minutes afterwards Redbud ran in, laughing and rosy-cheeked.

"Oh, cousin Lavinia!" she cried, "I'm so glad to see you!"

Miss Lavinia enclosed her young relation in a dignified embrace, and
kissed her solemnly.

"I am very glad to see you looking so well, Redbud," she said,
indicating a cricket at her feet, upon which Miss Redbud accordingly
seated herself. I have