“Did he want to flog your Jemmy for that?”

“Yes, he did indeed, ladies.”

“Then as sure as I stand here, and may this punch be my poison, if he sha’n’t beg your pardon on his knees.  Sha’n’t he, girls?” cried Mrs Slamkoe.

“Yes, yes, that he shall, or we’ll poke him with the poker.”

This was a dreadful threat, but the indignity was so great, that Vanslyperken attempted to resist.  It was, however, in vain; he was forced to go on his knees, and ask Mrs Salisbury’s pardon.

“Indeed, ladies, I do not wish it,” said Moggy; “no, pray don’t.  Well, Mr Vanslyperken, pardon granted; so now kiss and make friends.”

Mr Vanslyperken, surrounded now by furies rather than Bacchanalians, kissed Mrs Salisbury.

“What in the world would you have me do, you she-devils?” cried he at last, driven to desperation.

“This is language for a gentleman,” said Mrs Slamkoe.

“They shall make you do nothing more,” replied Moggy.  “I must retire, ladies, your freak’s up.  You know I never keep late hours.  Ladies, I wish you all a very good-night.”

“Perhaps, Mr Vanslyperken, you would wish to go.  I’ll send for the woman of the house that you may settle the bill; I think you offered to treat the company?”

Vanslyperken grinned ghastly.  The bell was rung, and while Mr Vanslyperken was pulling out the sum demanded by the landlady, the ladies all disappeared.

Vanslyperken put up his diminished purse.  “There is your sword, Mr Vanslyperken,” said Moggy; who, during the whole of the scene, had kept up a retenue very different from her usual manners.

Vanslyperken took his sword, and appeared to feel his courage return—­why not? he was armed, and in company with only one woman, and he sought revenge.

He rang the bell, and the landlady appeared.

“Landlady,” cried Vanslyperken, “you’ll send for a constable directly.  Obey me, or I’ll put you down as a party to the robbery which has been committed.  I say, a constable immediately.  Refuse on your peril, woman; a king’s officer has been robbed and ill-treated.”

“Lauk-a-mercy! a constable, sir?  I’m sure you’ve had a very pleasant jollification.”

“Silence, woman; send for a constable immediately.”

“Do you hear, Mrs Wilcox?” said Moggy, very quietly, “Mr Vanslyperken wants a constable.  Send for one by all means.”

“Oh! certainly, ma’am, if you wish it,” said the landlady, quitting the room.

“Yes, you infamous woman, I’ll teach you to rob and ill-treat people in this way.”

“Mercy on me!  Mr Vanslyperken, why I never interfered.”

“Ay, ay, that’s all very well; but you’ll tell another story when you’re all before the authorities.”

“Perhaps I shall,” replied Moggy, carelessly.  “But I shall now wish you a good-evening, Mr Vanslyperken.”

Thereupon Mr Vanslyperken very valorously drew his sword, and flourished it over his head.