In her hand Miss Fanny carried a wreath of primroses and other children of the autumn, which spread around them as she came a faint perfume. From the appearance of the young lady's feet, it seemed that she had gathered them herself. Her shoes and ankles, with their white stockings, were saturated with the dews of morning.
After imprinting upon Miss Redbud's cheek the kiss which we have chronicled, Fanny gaily raised the yellow wreath, and deposited it upon the young girl's head.
"There, Redbud!" she cried, "I declare, you look prettier than ever!"
Redbud smiled, with an affectionate glance at her friend.
"Oh!" cried the impulsive Fanny, "there you are, laughing at me, as much as to say that you are not pretty! Affected!"
"Nor I," said Fanny; "but really, Reddy, I had no idea that yellow was so becoming to you."
"I wonder if blonde don't mean yellow," said the philosophic Fanny.
"Why, of course, I thought yellow primroses would'nt become you;--now they would suit me--I'm so dark."
"Well, I'm glad you like me, then!" cried Fanny, "for I declare I'm desperately in love with you, Reddy. Just think, now, how much flattered Miss Sallianna would have been if I had carried these flowers to her--you know she loves the 'beauties of nature.'"
And Miss Fanny assumed a languishing air, and inclining her head upon one shoulder, raised her eyes lackadaisically toward the ceiling, in imitation of Miss Sallianna.
"No, Fanny!" said Redbud, "that is not right."
"Well, I suppose it is not, and I have been treating her very badly. Suppose I take your wreath of yellow primroses and carry them to her."
"Oh, yes--if you want to," said Redbud, looking regretfully at the wreath, which she had taken from her brow.
"No, I will not," she said; "I have a good reason."
"Never put color upon color--yellow upon yellow in this instance!"
And Miss Fanny burst into laughter, and fairly shook with glee.
Redbud gave her a little reproachful glance, which showed Fanny the uncharitable nature of her observation.
"Well," said the owner of the soiled ankles, "I ought not to have said that; but really, she is so ridiculous! She thinks she's the handsomest person in the world, and I do believe she wants to rob us of our beaux."