"So, it seems," he says, "that Mr. Roundjacket counsels a bachelor life, eh? Good! he is a worthy professor, but an indifferent practitioner. The rascal! Did you ever hear of such a thing, Lavinia? I declare, if I were a lady, I should decline to recognize, among my acquaintances, the upholder of such doctrines--especially when he poisons the ears of boys like Verty with them!" And the Squire continues to laugh. "Perhaps," says Miss Lavinia, with stately dignity, and glancing at Verty as she speaks,--"perhaps the--hem--circumstances which induced Mr. Roundjacket to give the advice, might have been--been--peculiar." And Miss Lavinia smooths down her black silk with dignity. "Peculiar?" "Yes," says the lady, glancing this time at Redbud. "How was it, Verty?" the Squire says, turning to the young man. Verty, conscious of his secret, blushes and stammers; for how can he tell the Squire that Mr. Roundjacket and himself were discussing the propriety of his marrying Redbud? He is no longer the open, frank, and fearless Verty of old days--he has become a dissembler, for he is in love. "I don't know--oh, sir--I could'nt--Mr. Roundjacket--" The Squire laughs. "There's some secret here," he says; "out with it, Verty, or it will choke you. Come, Rushton, you are an adept--cross-examine the witness." Mr. Rushton growls. "You won't--then I will." "Perhaps the time, and the subject of conversation, might aid you," says Miss Lavinia, who is nettled at Verty, and thus is guily of what she is afterwards ashamed of. "A good idea," says the Squire; "and I am pleased to see, Lavinia, that you take so much interest in Verty and Mr. Roundjacket." Miss Lavinia blushes, and looks solemn and stiff. "Hum!" continues the Squire. "Oyez! the court is opened! First witness, Mr. Verty! Where, sir, did this conversation occur?" Verty smiles and colors. "At Mr. Roundjacket's, sir," he replies. "The hour, as near as you can recollect." "In the forenoon, sir." "Were there any circumstances which tend to fix the hour, and the day, in your mind?" "Yes, sir." "What were they?" "I recollect that Miss Lavinia called to see Mr. Roundjacket that day, sir; and as she generally comes into town on Tuesday or Wednesday, soon after breakfast it must have been--" Verty is interrupted by a chair pushed back from the table. It is Miss Lavinia, who, rising, with a freezing "excuse me," sails from the room. The Squire bursts into a roar of laughter, and leaving the table, follows her, and is heard making numerous apologies for his wickedness in the next room. He returns with the mischievious smile, and says: "There, Verty! you are a splendid fellow, but you committed a blunder." And laughing, the Squire adds: "Will you come and see the titles, Rushton?" The lawyer growls, rises, and bidding Verty remain until he comes out, follows the Squire. CHAPTER LXIV. THE ROSE OF GLENGARY.