not been able before to come and see you, but
Miss Scowley gives me excellent accounts of you."

"Does she!" laughed Redbud.

"Yes."

Redbud laughed again.

"What is the cause of your amusement?" said Miss Lavinia.

"Oh, I only meant that she told everybody who came, that everybody was
good."

"Hum!"

"She does," said Redbud.

"Then you mean that you do not deserve her praise?"

"Oh, I did'nt mean that, cousin Lavinia! I'm very glad she likes me. I
want everybody to like me. But it's true."

"I believe you are good, Redbud," Miss Lavinia said, calmly.

"I hope so, ma'am."

"Are you happy here?"

"Oh yes, ma'am--except that I would like to be at home to see you
all."

"Do you miss us?"

"Oh yes, indeed!"

Miss Lavinia cleared her throat, and began to revolve her address to
be delivered.

"You do not see us very often, Redbud," she said,--"I mean myself and
your father--but from what I have heard this morning, that young man
Verty still visits you."

Redbud colored, and did not reply.

Miss Lavinia's face assumed an expression of mingled severity and
dignity, and she said to the girl:

"Redbud, I am sorry you do not observe the advice I gave you,--of
course, I have no right to command you, and you are now growing old
enough to act for yourself in these things. You are nearly seventeen,
and are growing to be a woman. But I fear you are deficient in
resolution, and still encourage the visits of this young man."

Poor Redbud was silent--she could not deny the accusation.

Miss Lavinia looked at her with grim affection, and said:

"I hope, Redbud, that, in future, you will be more careful. I am sorry
to be compelled to say it--but Verty is not a proper person for you
to remain upon such intimate and confidential terms with. He has good
qualities, and is very sensible and kind-hearted; but he is a mere
Indian, and cannot have anything in common with one so much his
superior in station, as yourself."

"Oh, ma'am--!" began Redbud.

"Speak plainly," said Miss Lavinia; "do not be afraid."

"I was only going to say that I am not superior to Verty," Redbud
added, with tears in her eyes; "he is so good, and kind, and sincere."

"You misunderstand me--I did not mean that he was not a proper
companion for you, as far as his character went; for, I say again,
that his character is perfectly good. But--child that you are!--you
cannot comprehend yet that something more is wanting--that Verty is an
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