eper, who was so importunate
when I crossed over the road?"

"Then, by the powers, you've just hit it, as you did him. That's my
particular friend, Thaddeus O'Rourke, gentleman."

"Gentleman!" exclaimed I.

"And with as good and as true Milesian blood as any in Ireland. If you
think, sir, that because my friend, just for his own amusement, thinks
proper to put on the worst of his clothes and carry a broom, just by
way of exercise, to prevent his becoming too lusty, he is therefore to
be struck like a hound, it's a slight mistake, that's all; and here, sir,
is his card, and you will oblige me by mentioning any friend of yours
with whom I may settle all the little points necessary before the
meeting of two gentlemen."

I could hardly refrain from laughing at this Irish gentleman and his
friend, but I thought it advisable to retain my countenance. "My dear
sir," replied I, "it grieves me to the heart that I should have committed
such an error, in not perceiving the gentility of your friend; had I not
been so careless, I certainly should have requested him to do me the
honour to accept a shilling, instead of having offered him the insult.
I hope it is not now too late?"

"By the powers, I'm not one of those harum-scarum sort, who would make up
a fight when there's no occasion for it, and as your 'haviour is that of
a gentleman, I think it will perhaps be better to shake hands upon it,
and forget it altogether. Suppose, now, we'll consider that it was all
a mistake? You give the shilling, as you intended to do, I'll swear,
only you were in so great a hurry--and then, perhaps, you'll not object
to throw in another shilling for that same tap with the cane, just to
wipe off the insult as it were, as we do our sins, when we fork out the
money, and receive absolution from the padre; and then, perhaps, you will
not think it too much if I charge another shilling for my time and
trouble, for carrying a message between two gentlemen."

"On the contrary, Mr O'Donaghan, I think all your demands are reasonable.
Here is the money."

Mr O'Donaghan took the three shillings. "Then, sir, and many thanks to
you, I'll wish you a good evening, and Mr O'Rourke shall know from me
that you have absolution for the whole, and that you have offered every
satisfaction which one gentleman could expect from another." So saying,
Mr O'Donaghan put his hat on with a firm cock, pulled on his gloves,
manoeuvred his stick, and, with a flourishing bow,