Verty smiled.

"I like that," he said.

"So do I—but Mr. Ralph is so—"

"What, Miss Redbud?" said Ralph, laughing, "eh?"

"Oh, I did'nt know—"

"I heard you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, at least I did. I don't see why I should not be affectionate to
Fanny—"

"Humph!" from Fanny.

"She is my dearest cousin—is Miss Fanny Temple; and we have been in love with each other for the last twenty years, more or less!"