u from it, and so would
most of your friends."

"This day is Friday," said Hycy, "more growling."

"Why so?"

"Why, when I eat meat on a Friday, the pepper and sauce cost me nothing.
The 'gentlemen' lays on hard, but the lady extenuates, 'in regard to
it's bein' jinteel.'"

"Well, but you have certainly no scruple yourself on the subject?"

"Yes, I have, sir, a very strong one--in favor of the meat--ha! ha! ha!"

"D--n me, whoever christened you Hycy the accomplished, hit you off."

"I did myself; because you must know, my worthy Hal, that, along with
all my other accomplishments, I am my own priest.'

"And that is the reason why you hate the clergy? eh--ha! ha! ha!"

"A hit, a hit, I do confess."

"Harke, Mr. Priest, will you give absolution--to Tom Corbet?"

"Ah! Hal, no more an' thou lovest me--that sore is yet open. Curse the
villain. My word and honor, Hal, the gentleman' was right there. He
told me at the first glance what she was. Here comes a shower, let us
move on, and reach Ballymacan, if possible, before it falls. We shall be
home in fair time for dinner afterwards, and then for my proposal,
which, by the word and honor--"

"And morality?"

"Nonsense, Harry; is a man to speak nothing but truth or Scripture in
this world?--No--which I say by the honor of a gentleman, it will be
your interest to consider and accept."

"Very well, most accomplished. We shall see, and we shall hear, and then
we shall determine."

A ham and turkey were substituted for the pig's cheek and fowl, and we
need not say that Hycy and his friend accepted of the substitution with
great complacency. Dinner having been discussed, and a bottle of wine
finished, the punch came in, and each, after making himself a stiff
tumbler, acknowledged that he felt comfortable. Hycy, however, anxious
that he should make an impression, or in other words gain his point,
allowed Clinton to grow a little warm with liquor before he opened the
subject to which he had alluded. At length, when he had reached the
proper elevation, he began:--

"There's no man, my dear Harry, speaks apparently more nonsense than I
do in ordinary chat and conversation. For instance, to-day I was very
successful in it; but no matter, I hate seriousness, certainly, when
there is no necessity for it. However, as a set-off to that, I pledge
you my honor that no man can be more serious when it is necessary than
myself. For instance, you let out a matter to me the othe