He might make love to her if he wished--she would not be offended.

He might even kiss her hand, and kneel to her, and perform any other gallant ceremony he fancied--she would make allowances, and not become angry if he even proceeded so far as to write her billet-doux, and ask her hand in a matrimonial point of view.

Miss Sallianna wound up by saying, that it would be an affair of rare and opprobrious interest; and, as a comedy, would be positively deleterious, which was probably a _lapsus linguae_ for "delicious." So when Verty rose to take his departure, he was a captive to Miss Sallianna's bow and spear; or more accurately, to her fan and tongue: and had promised to come on the very next day, after school hours, and commence the amusing trial of Reddy's affections.

The lady tapped him with her fan, smiled languidly, and rolled up her eyes--Verty bowed, and took his leave of her.
He mounted Cloud, and calling Longears, took his way sadly toward town.

Could he not look back and see those tender eyes following him from the lattice of Redbud's room--and blessing him?
.