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.
The young man, as we have said, had once more donned his rude forest costume; and even at the risk of appearing to undervalue the graces and attractions of civilization with the costume, which is a necessary part thereof, we must say that the change was an improvement.
Verty's figure, in the dress which he generally wore, was full of picturesqueness and wild interest.

He looked like a youthful Leather-stocking; and seemed to be a part of the forest in which he lived, and from which he came.
He had been cramped in the rich clothes; and the consciousness of this feeling, so to speak, had made his manner stiff and unnatural; now, however, he was forest Verty again.

His long hair had already become tangled, thanks to the autumn winds, and the gallop to which he had pushed Cloud;--his person assumed its habitual attitude of wild grace; his eye no longer restless and troubled, had recovered its expression of dreamy mobility, and his lips were wreathed with the odd Indian smile, which just allowed the ends of the white teeth to thread them;--Verty was himself again.
He raised his head, and would have caught sight of the young girls in the garden, but for a circumstance which occurred just at that moment.
This circumstance was the appearance of Miss Sallianna--Miss Sallianna arrayed in all her beauties and attractions, including a huge breastpin, a dress of enormous pattern, and a scarf around her delicate waist, azure-hued and diaphanous like the sky, veiled with an imperceptible cloud.
The lady was smiling more than ever; her air was more languishing; her head inclined farther to one side.

Such was her ecstacy of "inward contemplation," to use her favorite phrase, that the weight of thought bent down her yellow eye-lashes and clouded her languishing eyes.
She raised them, however, and glancing at Verty, started.
"Good-morning, ma'am," said Verty--"Miss, I mean.

I got your letter." "Good-morning, sir," said Miss Sallianna, with some stiffness; "where are your clothes ?" Verty stared at Miss Sallianna with great astonishment, and said: "My clothes ?" "Yes, sir." "These are my clothes." And Verty touched his breast.
"No, sir!" said Miss Sallianna.
"Not mine ?" "They may be yours, sir; but I do not call them clothes--they are mere covering." "_Anan_ ?" said Verty.
"They are barbarous." "How, ma'am ?" Miss Sallianna tossed her head.
"It is not proper!" she said.
"What, ma'am ?" "Coming to see a lady in that plight." "This plight ?" "Yes, sir!" "Not proper ?" "No, sir!" "Why not ?" "Because, sir, when a gentleman comes to pay his respects to a lady, it is necessary that he should be clad in a manner, consistent with the errand upon which he comes." "_Anan_, ma'am' ?" "Goodness gracious!" cried Miss Sallianna, forgetting her attitudes, and vigorously rubbing her nose; "did any body ever ?" "Ever what, ma'am ?" "Ever see a person so hard to understand as you are, sir." "I don't understand long words," said Verty; "and you know I am an Indian." "I knew you _were_, sir." Verty shook his head, and smiling dreamily: "I always will be that," he said.
"Then, sir, we cannot be friends--" "Why, ma'am--I mean, Miss ?" "Because, sir, the properties of civilization require a mutual criterion of excellence--hem!" "Oh yes," said Verty, very doubtfully, and checking by an effort his eternal exclamation of ignorance; "but I thought you liked me." "I do, sir," said Miss Sallianna, with more mildness--"I thought we should be friends." Verty smiled.
"What a funny letter you wrote to me," he said.
"Funny, sir ?" said Miss Sallianna, blushing.
"Very pretty, too." "Oh, sir!" "But I did'nt understand more than half of it," said Verty with his old dreamy smile.
"Pray why, sir ?" "The words were so long." Miss Sallianna looked gratified.
"They were expressive, sir, of the reciprocal sensation which beats in my heart." "Yes, ma'am," said Verty.
"But recollect, sir, that this sentiment is dependent upon exterior circumstances.