both suffer. Men, men," murmured
Miss Lavinia, "they are our masters, and ask nothing better than that
delightful tribute to their power--a broken heart."

"Yes, yes, Redbud," said the solemn lady, rising, "this advice I have
given you is well worthy of your attention. Both you and this young
man will undergo cruel suffering if you persist in your present
relations. I will say no more. I have done my duty, and I am sure you
will not think that I am actuated by old-maidish scruples, and have
made a bugbear for myself. I love you, Redbud, as well as I love any
one in the world, and all I have said is for your good. Now I must
go."

And Miss Lavinia solemnly enclosed the weeping girl in her arms, and
returned to her carriage. Before her sailed Miss Sallianna, smiling
and languishing--her eyes upon the sky, and uttering the most
elegant compliments. These were received by Miss Lavinia with grave
politeness; and finally the two ladies inclined their heads to each
other, and the carriage drove off toward Winchester, followed by
Redbud's eye. That young lady was standing at the window, refusing to
be comforted by her friend Fanny--who had given her the pigeon, it
will be remembered--and obstinately bent on proving to herself that
she was the most wretched young lady who had ever existed.

Meanwhile Miss Lavinia continued her way, gazing in a dignified
attitude from the window of her carriage. Just as she reached the
bottom of the hill, what was her horror to perceive a cavalier
approach from the opposite direction--an elegant cavalier, mounted on
a shaggy horse, and followed by a long-eared hound--in whose richly
clad person she recognized the whilom forest boy.

Miss Lavinia held up both her hands, and uttered an exclamation of
horror.

As to Verty, he passed rapidly, with a fascinating smile, saying, as
he disappeared:--

"I hope you gave my love to Redbud, Miss Lavinia!"

Miss Lavinia could only gasp.

CHAPTER XIX.

ONLY A FEW TEARS.

The theories of Miss Lavinia upon life and matrimony had so much truth
in them, in spite of the address and peculiarities of the opinions
upon which they were based, that Redbud was compelled to acknowledge
their justness; and, as a consequence of this acknowledgment, to shape
her future demeanor toward the young man in conformity with the advice
of her mentor.

Therefore, when Miss Redbud saw Verty approach, clad in his new
costume, and radiant with happy expectation,