"It is not agreeable to me to mention this subject," Miss Lavinia said, solemnly, smoothing Redbud's disordered hair, "but I consider it my duty, child. You have said truly that you are still very young, and that it is ridiculous to talk about your being married. But, Redbud, the day will come when you will be a woman, and then you will find this intimacy with Verty a stone around your neck. I wish to warn you in time. These early friendships are only productive of suffering, when in course of time they must be dissolved. I wish to ward off this suffering from you!" "Oh, ma'am!" sobbed Redbud. "I love you very much." "Yes, ma'am." "And as I have more experience than you," said Miss Lavinia, grimly--"more knowledge of the wiles of men, I consider it my duty to direct your conduct." "Yes, ma'am," said Redbud, seeing the wall closing round her inexorably. "If, then, you would spare Verty suffering, as well as yourself, you will gradually place your relations on a different basis." "On--a--dif--ferent--basis," said Redbud; "Yes, ma'am." "It may be done," said Miss Lavinia; "and do not understand me, child, to counsel an abrupt and violent breaking off of all the ties between yourself and this young man." "No, ma'am." "You may do it gradually; make your demeanor toward him calmer at every interview--if he must come--do not have so many confidential conversations--never call him 'Verty'"-- "Oh, ma'am!" said Redbud, "but I can't call him Mr. Verty." "Don't call him anything," said the astute enemy of the male sex, "and gradually add 'sir' to the end of your observations. In this manner, Redbud, you may place your relations on an entirely different footing." "Yes, ma'am!" Miss Lavinia looked at the child for some moments with a singular expression of commiseration. Then smoothing the small head again, she said more softly:-- "What I advise is for your own good, Redbud. I only aim at your happiness. Pursue the plan I have indicated, and whenever you can, avoid this young man--as you will both suffer. Men, men," murmured Miss Lavinia, "they are our masters, and ask nothing better than that delightful tribute to their power--a broken heart." "Yes, yes, Redbud," said the solemn lady, rising, "this advice I have given you is well worthy of your attention. Both you and this young man will undergo cruel suffering if you persist in your present relations. I will say no more. I have done my duty, and I am sure you will not think that I am actuated by old-maidish scruples, and have made a bugbear for myself. I love you, Redbud, as well as I love any one in the world, and all I have said is for your good. Now I must go."