“That is just as you please to think, Miss Minnie,” he replied, with one of his bows; “the gentlemen have heard my opinion of their conduct.”
“Lil, you and I will leave the parlor if the gentlemen wish to fight,” said Miss Minnie, making a pretence of rising to leave the room.
Miss Carrover looked at her with a shake of her head, and with her soft rich voice said: “Minnie!” Then, turning to DeVare—
“Come here, Mr. DeVare, Minnie is only jesting. Mr. Smith,” addressing me, “have you seen these stereoscopic views of the University? My brother had them taken last spring. Take a seat here on the sofa and look them over with me, and see if you can recognize them all.”
Her manner was so composed and gracious that we were all reseated and everything quiet before we knew it. I had felt so miserably wretched while DeVare and Miss Minnie were speaking that I felt eternally grateful to Miss Carrover for relieving me, even though she treated me as if I were very young, in doing it.
In a moment or two all save DeVare and myself rose to leave—Brazon, who was the ringleader in Miss Minnie’s persecuting circle, scowling malignantly at DeVare as he bowed himself out.
As soon as they had gone Miss Minnie came to where I was sitting, and, with winning frankness, offered her hand, saying:
“It was very naughty in me, Mr. Smith, to tease you. I beg pardon, and promise not to do so any more.”
I caught her hand convulsively, and assured her of my entire forgiveness, and implored her not to give herself any trouble on my account, and much more to the same incoherent effect.
She drew her hand gently from mine, and calling DeVare, said—