Which caused Mr. Jinks to explain.  He meant, that the test of affection was doing one a service; that the loving individual would perform what the beloved wished; and that here the beautiful Judith was deficient.

To which the beautiful Judith, with a preparatory caution to the young O’Calligans, replied by saying, that she had never been tried; and if that was all the foundation for such a charge, the best way to prove its falseness was to immediately test her friendship.

At this Mr. Jinks brightened up, and leaning over toward the ruddy-faced Judith, whispered for some minutes.  The whispers brought to the lady’s face a variety of expressions:  consternation, alarm, doubt, objection, refusal.  Refusal remained paramount.

Mr. Jinks imbibed more poteen, and observed, with dignity, that he had been perfectly well aware, before making his communication, that the protestations of the lady opposite to whom he sat were like those of ladies in general, calculated to mislead and deceive.  He would therefore not annoy her further, but seek some other—­

Incipient tears from the lady, who thought Mr. Jinks cruel, unreasonable, and too bad.

Mr. Jinks was rational, and had asked a very inconsiderable favor; his beautiful acquaintance, Miss Sallianna, would not hesitate a moment to oblige him, and he would therefore respectfully take his departure—­for some time, he was afraid, if not forever.

Mr. Jinks had played his game with much skill, and great knowledge of the lady whom he addressed.  He brought out his trump, so to speak, when he mentioned Miss Sallianna, and alluded to his intention never to return, perhaps.

The lady could not resist.  The moment had arrived when she was to decide whether she should supply the youthful O’Calligans with a noble father and protector, or suffer them still to inhabit the dangerous side-walk in infant helplessness, and exposed to every enemy.

Therefore the fair Mistress O’Calligan found her resolution evaporate—­her objections removed—­she consented to comply with Mr. Jinks’ request, because the object of her affections made it—­yes, the object of her affections for many a long day, through every accusation of cabbaged cloth, and other things brought by his enemies—­the object of her ambition, the destined recipient of the garden, and the chickens, and the pigs, when fate removed her!

And having uttered this speech with great agitation, and numerous gasps, Mistress O’Calligan yielded to her nerves, and reposed upon Mr. Jinks’ breast.

Fifteen minutes afterwards Mr. Jinks was going back to Bousch’s tavern, mounted on Fodder, and grimacing.

“She’ll do it, sir! she’ll do it!” said Mr. Jinks; “we’ll see.  Look out for gory blood, sir!”

And that was all.

CHAPTER LVI.

TAKES VERTY TO MR. ROUNDJACKET.

As Mr. Jinks went along, thus absorbed in his dreams of vengeance, he chanced to raise his head; which movement made him aware of the fact that a gentleman with whom he was well acquainted rode in the same direction with himself—­that is to say, toward Bousch’s tavern.