Verty. "No doubt Reddy loved you;
indeed, at the risk of deeming to flatter you, Mr. Verty--though I
never flatter--I must say, that it would have been very extraordinary
if Reddy had _not_ fallen in love with you, as you are so smart and
handsome. Recollect this is not flattery. I was going on to say, that
Reddy _must_ have loved you, but that does not show that she loves you
now. We cannot compress our sentiments; and Diana, Mr. Verty, the god
of love, throws his darts when we are not looking--ah!"

Which last word of Miss Sallianna's speech represents a sigh she
uttered, as, after the manner of Diana, she darted a fatal arrow from
her eyes, at Verty. It did not slay him, however, and he only murmured
wofully,

"Do you mean Reddy has changed, then, ma'am? Oh, what will become of
me--what shall I do!"

Miss Sallianna threw a glance, so much more languishing than the
former, upon her companion, that had his heart not been wrapped in
Redbud, it certainly would have been pierced.

"Follow her example," simpered Miss Sallianna, looking down with
blushing cheeks, and picking at her fan with an air of girlish
innocence. "Could you not do as she has done--and--choose--another
object yourself?"

And Miss Sallianna raised her eyes, bashfully, to Verty's face, then
cast them with maidenly modesty upon the carpet.

"No, ma'am," said Verty, thoughtfully, and quite ignorant of the
deadly attack designed by the fair lady upon his heart--"I don't think
I could change."

In these simple words the honest Verty answered all.

"Why not?" simpered the lady.

"Because I don't think Redbud is in love with anybody else," he said;
"I know she is not!"

"Why, then, has she treated you so badly?" said Miss Sallianna,
gradually forgetting her bashfulness, and reassuming her languishing
air and manner--"there must be some laborious circumstance, Mr.
Verty."

Verty pressed his head with his hand, and was silent. All at once
a brighter light illumined the fair lady's face, and she addressed
herself to speak, first uttering a modest cough--

"Suppose I suggest a plan of finding out, sir," she said; "we might
find easily."

"Oh, ma'am! how?"

"Will you follow my advice?"

"Yes, ma'am--of course. I mean if it's right. Excuse me, I did not
mean--what was your advice, ma'am?" stammered Verty.

The lady smiled, and did not seem at all offended at Verty's
qualification.

"It may appear singular to you at first," Miss Sallianna sai