"What; sir?"

"Love me!"

"Oh, devotedly!"

"Very well; it was not necessary to tell me, and, of course, that
pretty curl of the lip is only to keep up appearances. But come
now, darling of my heart, and light of my existence! as we _hav'nt_
quarreled, in spite of Miss Sallianna, and still have for each other
the most enthusiastic affection, be good enough to forget these
things, and turn your attention to material affairs. You promised me a
lunch!"

"Lunch!"

"Yes--and I am getting hungry."

"When did I promise?"

"Yesterday."

"Oh--now--"

"You remember; very well. It was to be eaten, you will recollect, on
the hill, yonder, to the west, to which our steps were to tend."

"Our picnic! Oh, yes! My goodness gracious! how could I forget it!
Come on, Reddie--come and help me to persuade Mrs. Scowley to undo the
preserve-jar."

Redbud laughed.

"May I go!" said Verty.

"Certainly, sir; you are not at liberty to refuse. Who would talk with
Reddie!"

"I don't think--" murmured Redbud, hesitating.

"Now!" cried Fanny, "did anybody ever!"

"Ever what!" said Verty.

"Ever see anybody like this Miss Redbud!"

"I don't think they ever did," replied Verty, smiling.

Which reply caused Miss Fanny and Mr. Ralph to laugh, and Redbud to
color slightly; but this soon passed, and the simple, sincere look
came back to her tender face.

Redbud could not resist the glowing picture which Fanny drew of the
picnic to be; and, with some misgiving, yielded. In a quarter of
an hour the young men and the young girls were on their way to
the beautiful eminence, swinging the baskets which contained the
commissariat stores, and laughing gleefully.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

HOW LONGEARS SHOWED HIS GALLANTRY IN FANNY'S SERVICE.

It was one of those magnificent days of Fall, which dower the world
with such a wealth of golden splendor everywhere--but principally in
the mountains.

The trees rose like mighty monarchs, clad in royal robes of blue and
yellow, emerald and gold, and crimson; the forest kings and little
princely alders, ashes and red dogwoods, all were in their glory.
Chiefly the emperor tulip-tree, however, shook to the air its noble
vestments, and lit up all the hill-side with its beauty. The streams
ran merrily in the rich light--the oriole swayed upon the gorgeous
boughs and sang away his soul--over all drooped the diaphanous haze of
October, like an enchanting dream.

To see the mountains of Virgin