were inextricably mingled in her unfortunate brain, and she could not
disentangle them from each other, or discover the least clue to the
labyrinth. She, therefore, gazed at Verty with more overwhelming
dignity than ever, and not deigning to make any reply to his rhapsody,
sailed by with a stiff inclination of the head, toward the door. But
Verty was growing gallant under Mr. Roundjacket's teaching. He
rose with great good humor, and accompanied Miss Lavinia to her
carriage--he upon one side, the gallant head clerk on the other--and
politely assisted the lady into her chariot, all the time smiling in a
manner which was pleasant to behold.

His last words, as the door closed and the chariot drove off, were--

"Recollect, Miss Lavinia, please don't forget to give my love to
Redbud!"

Having impressed this important point upon Miss Lavinia, Verty
returned to the office, with the sighing Roundjacket, humming one of
his old Indian airs, and caressing Longears.




CHAPTER XVII.

MR. JINKS AT HOME.


The young man sat down at his desk, and began to write. But this
occupation did not seem to amuse him, and, in a few moments, he threw