O’Brallaghan’s ambition was to succeed the lamented.  He had long made unsuccessful court to the lady—­in vain.  He suspected, not without justice, that the graceful and military Mr. Jinks had made an impression on the lady’s heart, and hated Mr. Jinks accordingly.

It was before the low, comfortable cottage of Mistress O’Calligan, therefore, that Mr. Jinks stopped.  And tying Fodder to the pump, he pushed aside the under-tunics which depended from lines, and were fluttering in the wind, and so made his entrance into the dwelling.

Mistress O’Calligan pretended to be greatly surprised and fluttered on Mr. Jinks’ entrance; and laid down the iron she was trying, by putting her finger in her mouth, and then applying it to the under surface.

She then smiled; and declared she never was in such a taking; and to prove this, sat down and panted, and screamed good-humoredly to the youthful O’Calligans, not to go near that pretty horse; and then asked Mr. Jinks if he would’nt take something.

Mr. Jinks said, with great dignity, that he thought he would.

Thereupon, Mistress O’Calligan produced a flat bottle of poteen, and pouring a portion for her own fair self, into a cup, said that this was a wicked world, and handed the flask to Mr. Jinks.

That gentleman took a tolerably large draught; and then setting down the bottle, scowled.

This terrified Mistress O’Calligan; and she said so.

Mr. Jinks explained that he was angry,—­in a towering rage; and added, that nothing but the presence of Mistress O’Calligan had prevented him from exterminating O’Brallaghan, who was a wretched creature, beneath the contempt, etc.

Whereto the lady replied, Really, to think it; but that these feelings was wrong; and she were only too happy if her presence had prevented bloodshed.  She thought that Mr. Jinks was flattering her—­with more of the same description.

Thus commenced this interview, which the loving and flattered Mistress O’Calligan wrongly supposed to be intended as one of courtship, on the part of Mr. Jinks.  She was greatly mistaken.  If ever proceeding was calm, deliberate, and prompted by revengeful and diabolical intentions, the proceeding of Mr. Jinks, on the present occasion, was of that description.

But none of this appeared upon the countenance of our friend.  Mr. Jinks was himself—­he was gallant, impressive; and warming with the rum, entered into details of his private feelings.

He had ever admired and venerated—­he said—­the character of the beautiful and fascinating Judith O’Calligan, who had alone, and by her unassisted merits, removed from his character that tendency toward contempt and undervaluation of women, which, he was mortified to say, he had been induced to feel from an early disappointment in love.

Mistress O’Calligan here looked very much flurried, and ejaculated, Lor!