PROVIDENCE.
Ralph was mounted, as usual, upon his fine sorrel, and Fanny rode a
little milk-white pony, which the young man had procured for her. We
need not say that Miss Fanny looked handsome and coquettish, or Mr.
Ralph merry and good-humored. Laughter was Fanny's by undoubted right,
unless her companion could contest the palm.
Miss Fanny's first movement, after dismounting, was to clasp Miss
Redbud to her bosom with enthusiastic affection, as is the habit with
young ladies upon public occasions; and then the fair equestrian
recognized Verty's existence by a fascinating smile, which caused the
unfortunate Ralph to gaze and sigh.
"Oh, Redbud!" cried Miss Fanny, laughing, and shaking gaily her ebon
curls, "you can't think what a delightful ride I've had--with Ralph,
you know, who has'nt been half as disagreeable as usual--"
"Come," interposed Ralph, "that's too bad!"
"Not for you, sir!"
"Even for me."
"Well, then, I'll say you are more agreeable than usual."
"That is better, though some might doubt whether that was possible."
"Ralph, you are a conceited, fine gentleman, and positively dreadful."
"Ah, you dread me!"
"No, sir!"
"Well, that is not fair--for I am afraid of you. The fact is, Miss
Redbud," continued Ralph, turning to the young girl, "I have fallen
deeply in love with Fanny, lately--"
"Oh, sir!" said Redbud, demurely.
"But I have not told you the best of the joke."
"What is that?"
"She's in love with me."
And Ralph directed a languishing glance toward Fanny, who cried out:
"Impudence! to say that I am in love with you. It's too bad, Ralph,
for you to be talking so!" added Fanny, pouting and coloring, "and
I'll thank you not to talk so any more."
"Why not?"
"I'll be offended."
"That will make you lovely."
"Mr. Ashley!"
"Miss Temple!"
And striking an attitude, Mr. Ashley waited for Fanny's communication.
Redbud smiled, and turning to Fanny, said:
"Come, now, don't quarrel--and come in and take off your things."
"Oh, I can't," cried the volatile Fanny, laughing--"Ralph and myself
just called by; we are past our time now. That horrid old Miss
Sallianna will scold me, though she does talk about the beauties of
nature--I wonder if she considers her front curls included!"
And Miss Fanny tossed her own, and laughed in defiance of the absent
Sallianna.
At the same moment the Squire came out with Mr. Rushton, and called to
Redbud. The young girl ran to him.
"Would you like a ride, little one?" said the Squire, "Miss Lavinia
and myself are going to town."
"Oh, yes, sir!"
"But your visitors--"
"Fanny says she cannot stay."
Fanny ran up to speak for herself; and while Redbud hastened to her
room to prepare for the ride, this young lady commenced a triangular
duel with the Squire and Mr. Ralph, which caused a grim smile to light
upon Mr. Rushton's face, for an instant, so to speak.
The carriage then drove up with its old greys, and Miss Lavinia and
Redbud entered. Before rode the Squire and Mr. Rushton; behind, Ralph
and Fanny.
As for Verty, he kept by the carriage, and talked with Redbud and Miss
Lavinia, who seemed to have grown very good-humored and friendly.
Redbud had not ridden out since her return to Apple Orchard, and the
fresh, beautiful day made her cheeks bright and her eyes brilliant.
The grass, the trees, the singing birds, and merry breezes, spoke to
her in their clear, happy voices, and her eye dwelt fondly on every
object, so old, and familiar, and dear.
Is it wonderful that not seldom her glance encountered Verty's, and
they exchanged smiles? His face was the face of her boy playmate--it
was very old and familiar; who can say that it was not more--that it
was not dear?
And so they passed the old gate, with all its apple trees, and the
spot where the great tree stood, through whose heart was bored the
aperture for the cider press beam--and through the slope beyond,
leaving the overseer's house, babies and all, behind, and issued forth
into the highway leading to the ancient borough of Winchester.
And gazing on the happy autumn fields, our little heroine smiled
brightly, and felt very thankful in her heart to Him who dowered her
life with all that beauty, and joy, and happiness; and ever and anon
her hand would be raised absently toward her neck, where it played
with the old coral necklace taken from the drawer in which it had been
laid--by accident, we should say, if there were any accident. And so
they approached the town.