dian, and of unknown parentage."

Poor Redbud struggled to follow Miss Lavinia's meaning.

"I see that I must speak plainly," said that lady, solemnly, "and I
will commence by saying, Redbud, that the whole male sex are always
engaged in endeavoring to make an impression on the hearts of the
other sex. The object to which every young man, without exception,
dedicates his life, is to gain the ascendancy over the heart of some
young person of the opposite sex; and they well know that when this
ascendancy is gained, breaking it is often more than human power can
accomplish. Young girls should carefully avoid all this, and should
always remember that the intimacies formed in early life, last,
generally, throughout their whole existence."

Redbud looked down, and felt a strong disposition to wipe her eyes.

Miss Lavinia proceeded, like an ancient oracle, impassible and
infallible.

"Now, I mean, Redbud," she said, "that while Verty may be, and no
doubt is, all that you could wish in a friend, you still ought not to
encourage him, and continue your injudicious friendship. Far be it
from me to insist upon the necessity of classes in the community, and
the impropriety of marrying those who are uncongenial in taste and
habit, and--"

"Marrying, ma'am!" exclaimed Redbud--then she stopped.

"Yes, Redbud," said Miss Lavinia, with dignity, "and nothing will
persuade me that this young man has not conceived the design of
marrying you. I do not say, mind me, that he is actuated by unworthy
motives--I have no right to. I do not believe that this young man has
ever reflected that Apple Orchard, a very fine estate, will some day
be yours. I only say that, like all youths, he has set his heart upon
possessing your hand, and that he is not a proper husband for you."

Having uttered this downright and unmistakeable opinion, Miss Lavinia
raised her head with dignity, and smoothed down her silk dress with
solemn grace.

As to poor Redbud, she could only lean her head on her hand, and
endeavor to suppress her gathering tears.

"Verty is an Indian, and a young man of obscure birth--wholly
uneducated, and, generally speaking, a savage, though a harmless one,"
said the lady, returning to the charge. "Now, Redbud, you cannot fail
to perceive that it is impossible for you to marry an Indian whom
nobody knows anything about. Your family have claims upon you, and
these you cannot disregard, and unite yourself to one of an inferior
race,