ung man sighed, and moved his head indifferently. Fanny did not
choose to see the expression, and positively beaming with smiles, all
directed, like a sheaf of arrows, full upon the gentleman, pushed the
point of her slipper from the skirt of her dress, and said she would
be exceedingly obliged to Mr. Verty, if he would fasten the ribbon
which had become loose.

Of course, Verty had to comply. He rose, sighing more than ever, and
crossing the room, knelt down to secure the rebellious ribbon.

No sooner had he knelt, than Miss Fanny made a movement which
attracted Redbud's attention. Their eyes met, and Fanny saw that her
friend was almost exhausted with emotion. The impulsive girl's eyes
filled as she looked at Redbud; with a smile, however, and with the
rapidity and skill of young ladies at public schools, she spelled
something upon her fingers, grazing as she went through the quick
motions, the head of Verty, who was bending over the slipper.

Fanny had said, in this sly way: "Say you are sick--indeed you
are!--you'll cry!"

Verty rose just as she finished, and Miss Fanny, with negligent ease,
thanked him, and looked out of the window. Verty turned again toward
Redbud. She was standing up--one hand resting upon the arm of the
sofa, from which she had risen, the other placed upon her heart, as if
to still its tumultuous beating.

Verty's troubled glance fled to the tender, sorrowful face, and asked
why she had risen. Redbud, suppressing her emotion by a powerful
effort, said, almost coldly, that she felt unwell, and hoped he would
let her go up stairs. Indeed, (with a trembling voice), she was--not
well: he must excuse her; if--if--if he would--come again.

And finding her voice failing her, poor Redbud abruptly left the room,
and running to her chamber, threw herself on the bed, and burst into a
passion of tears.

She had obeyed Miss Lavinia.

Yes! with a throbbing heart, eyes full of tears, a tenderness toward
her boy-playmate she had never felt before, she had preserved her
calmness. Crying was not wrong she hoped--and that was left her.

So the child cried, and cried, until nature exhausted herself, and
rested.

CHAPTER XXII.

HOW MISS SALLIANNA FELL IN LOVE WITH VERTY.

Verty stood for a moment gazing at the door through which Redbud had
disappeared, unable to speak or move. Astonishment, compassion, love,
distress, by turns filled his mind; and standing there, on a fine
October morning, th