That day was very near, as we have seen; but twenty-four hours remained for the conspirators to act in; and Mr. Jinks determined not to lose the opportunity to perfect and render satisfactory his bloody revenge.

Many things conspired to put him in high spirits, and arouse that heroic confidence felt by all great men in undertaking arduous affairs.  The landlord had been so much pleased with Mr. Jinks’ patriotic ardor in the German cause, that he generously hinted at an entire obliteration of any little score chalked up against the name of Jinks for board and lodging at the hostelry; this was one of the circumstances which inspirited Mr. Jinks.  Another was the possession of a steed—­a donkey, it is true, but a donkey out of a thousand, nee pluribus impar, and not unworthy of a knight in a great and exciting contest.

Thus it happened that when, upon the following morning, Mr. Jinks arose, assumed his garments, and descended, his face was radiant with anticipated triumph, his sword clattered against his slender legs with martial significance, and his brows were corrugated into a frown, which indicated ruin to all those opposed to him.

Mounted upon Fodder, who was sleek and in high spirits, owing to a good night’s rest and a plentiful supply of his favorite provender, Mr. Jinks remained for a moment irresolute before the door of the hostelry, revolving in his mind various and conflicting thoughts of love and war.

Should he go on his handsome animal, and enact the little drama, which he had arranged in his mind, with Miss Sallianna at the Bower of Nature?  Should he, on this morning, advance to victory and revenge in that direction?  Or should he go and challenge his enemy, Verty, and make his name glorious forever?

These conflicting ideas chased themselves through Mr. Jinks’ mind, and rendered him irresolute.

He was interrupted in the midst of them by a voice, laughing and sonorous, which cried from the direction of the gateway: 

“Hey, there!  What now, Jinks’?  What thoughts occupy your mind, my dear fellow?”

And Ralph came out from the yard of the tavern, mounted upon his handsome animal, as fresh and bright-looking as himself.

“I was reflecting, sir,” said Mr. Jinks, “I have much to occupy me to-day.”

“Ah?  Well, set about it—­set about it!  Don’t you know that the great element of success in life, from killing a mosquito to winning an empress, is to strike at once, and at the right moment?  Go on, Jinks, my boy, and luck to you!”

“Thanks, sir,” replied Mr. Jinks—­“I hope I shall have luck.”

“Of course, because you have genius!  What is luck?” cried Ralph, bending down to smooth the glossy neck of his animal, and laughing gaily,—­“why, nothing but a word!  Luck, sir, is nothing—­genius everything.  Luck throws her old shoe after, as says the proverb; but genius catches it, and conquers.  Come, you are good at everything, let us have a race!”