The two young girls rose, and smoothing their hair slowly, descended, arm in arm, and still conversing, to the dining-room, where old Scowley, as Verty called her, and Miss Sallianna, awaited them, in state, with their scholars. Prayer was succeeded by breakfast; and then--the young damsels having eaten with the most unromantic heartiness--the whole school scattered: some to walk toward "town;" others to stroll by the brook, at the foot of the hill; others again to write letters home. As Miss Sallianna had informed Verty, that day was a holiday, and young ladies going to school have, in all ages of the world, appreciated the beauties and attractions of this word, and what it represents--recreation, that is to say. Redbud and Fanny strolled out in the garden with their arms locked as before, and the merry autumn sunshine streaming on them. They had a thousand things to talk about, and we may be sure that they did not neglect the opportunity. What do _not_ young ladies at school discuss? Scarcely anything escapes, and these criticisms are often very trenchant and severe. How they criticise the matrimonial alliance between aged Dives with his crutch and money-bags, and the fascinating and artless Miss Sans Avoir, who dedicates her life to making happy the old gentleman! How gaily do they pull in pieces the beautiful natural curls of Mr. Adonis, who purchased them at the perruquier's; and how they scalp Miss Summer Morning, with her smiles and bright-eyed kindness, in the presence of gentlemen--while behind the scenes she is a mixture of the tigress and the asp! All these social anomalies do young ladies at school talk about--as do those who have left school also. But Redbud and Fanny did not--they were far too good-natured to take pleasure in such comments, and instead, spent the hours in laughing, playing and reading in the pleasant arbor. Thus the morning drew on, and the lovely autumn day sailed past with all its life and splendor toward the west. Fanny was gazing toward the house, as they thus sat in the arbor, and Redbud was smiling, when a gentleman, clothed in a forest costume, and carrying a rifle, made his appearance at the door of the Bower of Nature. "Oh, Reddy!" cried Fanny, "there's your friend, Verty; and look what a fright he is!" CHAPTER XXXIV. HOW MISS SALLIANNA ALLUDED TO VIPERS, AND FELL INTO HYSTERICS. Verty paused upon the threshold of the mansion to push back his long, curling hair; and with a glance behind him, toward Cloud, meant as a caution to that intelligent animal and to Longears, deposited his rifle against the door.