"Well, that's all right; and it would be strange if you did," the young man went on in his careless voice; "we have never met, I think, and, faith! all I recognize about you is my coat." "Your coat?" "Coat, did I say?--worse than that! I recognize my knee-breeches, my stockings, my chapeau, my waistcoat!" And the new-comer burst into a careless laugh. Verty shook his head. "They are mine, sir," he said. "You are mistaken." Verty returned the careless glance with one which seemed to indicate that he was not very well pleased. "How?" he said. "I maintain that you are wearing my clothes, by Jove! Come, let us fight it out;--or no! I've got an engagement, my dear fellow, and we must put it off. Fanny is waiting for me, and would be dying with disappointment if I didn't come." With which the young fellow touched his horse, and commenced humming a song. "Fanny?" said Verty, with a sad smile, "what! up at old Scowley's?" "The very place! Why, you have caught the very form of words by which I am myself accustomed to speak of that respectable matron." "I know Miss Fanny." "Do you?" "Yes." "Stop!" said the young man, laughing with his easy nonchalance; "tell me if we are rivals." "Anan?" said Verty. "Are you in love with her? Honor bright now, my dear fellow?" "No," said Verty, drawn, he did not know how, toward the laughing young man; "no, not with--Miss Fanny." "Ah, ah!--then with whom? Not the lovely Sallianna--the admirer of nature? Faith! you're too good-looking a fellow to throw yourself away on such a simpering old maid. By Jove! my dear friend, and new acquaintance, I like you! Let us be friends. My name's Ralph Ashley--I'm Fanny's cousin. Come! confidence for confidence!" Verty smiled. "My name is Verty," he said; "I havn't any other--I'm an Indian." "An Indian!" "Yes." "Is it possible?" Verty nodded. "Why, you are an elegant cavalier, or the devil take it! I'm just from Williamsburg--from the college there; and I never saw a finer _seigneur_ than yourself, friend Verty. An Indian!" "That's all," said Verty; "the new clothes change me. I got 'em at O'Brallaghan's." "O'Brallaghan's? The rascal! to sell my suit! That accounts for all! But I don't complain of you. On the contrary, I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. Have you been up there?--I suppose you have?" And the young man pointed toward the Bower of Nature. "Yes," said Verty. "Visiting?" "Yes--Redbud." "Pretty little Miss Summers?" Verty heaved a profound sigh, and said, "Yes." The young man shook his head.