Redbud rose quickly, and said, blushing and laughing:—
"Oh, come, Verty!"
"No, no—listen!" said Verty, "I do believe—"
"No, no, no!" cried Redbud, hurriedly, "it was very wrong—"
"What?—courting."
"Oh, no! It's mean in us to listen!"
And she went out of the arbor, followed by Verty, who said, "I'm glad courting ain't wrong; I think I should like to court you, Redbud."
Redbud made no reply to this innocent speech of Mr. Verty, but walked on. The noise which they made in leaving the arbor attracted the attention of the personages whose conversation we have been compelled to overhear; and Mr. Jinks and his companion passed through an opening in the shrubbery, and appeared in full view.
Miss Sallianna was a young lady of thirty-two or three, with long corkscrew curls, a wiry figure—a smile, of the description called "simper," on her lips, and an elegant mincing carriage of the person as she moved. She carried a fan, which seemed to serve for a number of purposes: to raise artificial breezes, cover imaginary blushes, and flirt itself against the hands or other portions of the persons of gentlemen making complimentary speeches.
She displayed some temporary embarrassment upon seeing Redbud and
Verty; and especially stared at that young gentleman.