The Last of the Foresters Part 10

And Verty, for the first time, seemed to realize the fact, that he could see her again. His countenance became brilliant--his eyes were filled with light--his lips wreathed with smiles.

Mr. Roundjacket was astounded.

"Young man," he said, sticking his pen behind his ear, "I should be pleased to know what you are thinking about! You are really extravagant, sir--you need the purifying and solidifying influence of the law; believe me--hey! what are you doing there?"

Verty was gnawing off the ribbon from the pigeon's foot, tied too tightly; he could not undo it, and having no knife, used his sharp white teeth for the purpose.

The pigeon sank down toward the horizon--seemed about to disappear--Verty uttered a deep sigh. But no: the bird suddenly pauses, drops from the clouds, and settles upon the roof of a house crowning a gra.s.sy hill, which hill was distant from Verty not more than a quarter of a mile.

A smile of delight pa.s.sed over Verty's countenance. He had found Redbud--she was there!

There was no longer any necessity for such headlong speed--he could go on slowly now--the goal was near, and would not fly as he approached.

Verty drew near the house, which was a tall, wooden structure, embowered in trees, and carefully reconnoitered with true huntsman-like precision. He thought that the place looked like the residence of Redbud--it was so bright, and sunny, and cheerful.

On the roof sat the returned pigeon, cooing, and pluming his wings among his fellows.

CHAPTER X.

VERTY MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF MR. JINKS.

Just as Verty was making this latter observation, his smiling eyes fixed on the mansion before him, he heard a voice at his feet, so to speak, which had the effect of bringing him to earth once more, and this voice said, loftily--

"You seem to be interested, sir--handsome house, sir--very handsome house, sir--also the occupants thereof."

Verty looked, and descried a gentleman of very odd appearance, who was looking at him intently. This gentleman was slender of limb, and tall; his lower extremities were clad in a tight pair of short breeches, beneath which, scarlet stockings plunged themselves into enormous shoes, decorated with huge rosettes; his coat was half-military, half-fop; and a long sword buckled round his waist, knocked against his fantastic gra.s.shopper legs. His hair was frizzled; his countenance, a most extraordinary one; his manner, a mixture of the hero and the bully, of n.o.ble dignity and truculent swagger, as if Ancient Pistol had taken the part of Coriola.n.u.s, and had not become proficient wholly in his lofty personation.

When this gentleman walked, his long sword bobbed, as we have said, against his legs; when he bowed, his att.i.tude was full of dignity; when he grimaced, he presented an appearance which would have made Punchinello serious, and induced a circus clown to fall into convulsions of despair.

This was the figure which now stood before Verty, and caused that young man to lower his eyes from the roof and the pigeons. Verty looked at the gentleman for a moment, and smiled.

"It is a handsome house," he said.

"Handsome?" said the tall gentleman, with dignity. "I believe you.

That house, sir, is the finest I ever saw."

"Is it?" said Verty.

"Yes, sir."

Verty nodded.

"I am a traveller, sir."

"Are you?"

"I am," said the military gentleman, solemnly. "I have been everywhere, sir; and even in Philadelphia and Paris there is nothing like that house."

"Indeed?" Verty said, surveying the remarkable edifice.

"Do you see the portico?" said the gentleman, frowning.

"Yes," said Verty.

"That, sir, is exactly similar to the Acropolis--Pantheon at Rome."

"Eh?" said Verty.

"Yes, sir; and then the wings--do you see the wings?"

"Plainly," said Verty.

"Those, sir, are modeled on the State-House in Paris, and are intended to shelter the youthful damsels, here a.s.sembled, as the wings of a hen do the chickens of her bosom--hem! Cause and effect, sir--philosophy and poetry unite to render this edifice the paragon and brag of architectural magnificence."

"_Anan_?" said Verty.

"I see you speak French."

"That ain't French."

"No? Then it's something else. Going up there?"

"Yes," said Verty.

"Fine turkey that. For the old lady?"

"Who's the old lady?"

"Old Mrs. Scowley--a model of the divine s.e.x, sir."

"No, it ain't for her," said Verty, smiling.

"For Miss Sallianna?"

"Who's that?"

"I see, sir, that you are not acquainted with this still more divine specimen of the--hum--I said that once before. Miss Sallianna, sir, is the beautiful sister of the respected Scowley."

"And who is here besides, if you please?" said Verty.

"A number of charming young ladies, sir. It is a seminary, sir,--an abode of science and accomplishments generally, sir;--the delights of philosophy, sir, take up their chosen dwelling here, and--stop!

there's my soul's idol! Jinks will never have another!"

And Mr. Jinks kissed his hand, and grimaced at a young lady who appeared at the gate, with a book in her hand.