Yes, sir; annihilate her!"

"Her!"

"Yes, the treacherous Sallianna. She has made me wretched
forever--lacerated my existence, and I am furious, sir; I do not deny
it."

"Furious?"

"Yes, sir; furious, and I have reason to be, sir. I am ferocious, sir;
I am overwhelmed with rage!"

And Jinks ground his teeth.

"What, at a woman?"

"At a perfidious woman."

"Fie, Jinks! is it credible that a man of your sense should pay the
sex so high a compliment?"

This view seemed to strike Mr. Jinks, and clearing his throat:

"Hum--ah--well," he said, "the fact is, sir, my feeling is rather one
of contempt than anger. But other things have occurred this morning to
worry me."

"What?"

Jinks circumstantially detailed his interview with O'Brallaghan,
adding the somewhat imaginary incident of the loss of O'Brallaghan's
left ear by a sweep of his, Jinks', sword.

"What! you cut off his ear!" cried Ralph.

"Yes, sir," replied Mr. Jinks, "close to the caitiff's head!"

"Jinks! I admire you!"

"It was nothing--nothing, sir!"

"Yes it was. It equals the most splendid achievements of antiquity."

And Ralph chuckled.

"He deserved it, sir," said Mr. Jinks, with modest dignity.

"Yes--you had your revenge."

"I will have more."

"Why, are you not satisfied?"

"No!"

"You will still pursue with your dreadful enmity the unfortunate
O'Brallaghan?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Well, I'll assist you."

"It is my own quarrel. The house of Jinks, sir, can right its own
wrongs."

"No doubt; but remember one circumstance. I myself hate O'Brallaghan
with undying enmity."

"How is that, sir?"

"Can't you guess?"

"No."

"Why, he had the audacity to sell my plum-colored coat and and the
rest of my suit to this Mr. Verty."

"Oh--yes."

"Abominable conduct! only because I did not call at the very moment to
try on the suit. He would 'make me another,' forsooth, 'in the twinkle
of an eye;' and then he began to pour out his disagreeable blarney.
Odious fellow!"

And Ralph turned aside his head to laugh.

"Leave him to me," said Mr. Jinks, arranging his sword with grace and
dignity at his side; "if you wish to assist me, however, you may, sir.
Let us now enter this tavern, and partake of rum and crackers."

"By all means--there is just time."

"How, sir?" asked Mr. Jinks, as they moved toward the tavern.

"I have just ordered my horse."

"To ride?"

"Yes."

Jinks sighed.

"I must purchase a steed myself," he s