Mr. Jinks was more self-possessed.
"Ah, my dear sir!" he said, stalking toward Verty, and grimacing, at the same time, at Redbud, "are you there, and with the fairest of her—hem!"
And Mr. Jinks stopped, nearly caught in the meshes of his gallantry.
"Yes, this is me, and I've been talking with Redbud," said Verty; "is that Miss Sallianna?"
The lady had recovered her simper; and now flirted her fan as gracefully as ever.
"See how your reputation has gone far and wide," said Mr. Jinks, with a fascinating grimace.
"You know you were talking of her when—how do you do, Miss
Sallianna," said Verty, holding out his hand.
"La!" said the fair one, inserting the points of her fingers into Verty's palm, "and Mr. Jinks was talking of me? What did he say, sir,—I suppose it was in town."
"No, ma'am," said Verty, "it was at the gate, when I came to see
Redbud—the pigeon showed me the way. He said you were something—but
I've forgot."
"The paragon of beauties and the pearl of loveliness," suggested Mr.
Jinks.