portico, which brought a smile to
every lip.

Mr. Jinks was on his knees before Miss Sallianna there.

CHAPTER XLII.

HOW MR. JINKS REQUESTED RALPH TO HOLD HIM.

Our last view of Mr. Jinks was at Bousch's tavern, when, mounting in a
manner peculiar to himself behind Ralph, the warlike gentleman set out
to take revenge.

He had ridden thus almost to the Bower of Nature; but on reaching the
belt of willows at the foot of the hill, requested to be placed upon
the earth, in order to make his toilet, to prepare himself for the
coming interview, and for other reasons.

Ralph had laughed, and complied.

Mr. Jinks had seated himself upon a bank by the little stream--the
same which we have seen the picnic party cross higher up--upon a log,
and then drawing from his pocket a small mirror, he had proceeded to
make his toilet.

This ceremony consisted in a scrupulous arrangement of his artificial
locks--a cultivation of the warlike and chivalrous expression of
countenance--and a general review of the state of his wardrobe.

He soon finished these ceremonies, and then continued his way toward
the Bower of Nature.

He arrived just as Ralph had proposed the excursion to the young
girls--consequently, some moments after the young fellow's interview
with Miss Sallianna--and entered with the air of a conqueror and a
master.

History and tradition--from which, with the assistance of imagination,
(nothing unusual,) our veritable narrative is drawn--history affords
us no information in regard to what occurred at this interview between
Mr. Jinks and Miss Sallianna.

That the interview would have been terrific, full of reproaches,
drowned in tears, objurgations, and jealous ravings, is certainly no
more than the words of Mr. Jinks would have led an impartial listener
to believe. But Mr. Jinks was deep--knew women, as he often said, as
well as need be--and therefore it is not at all improbable that the
jealous ravings and other ceremonies were, upon reflection, omitted
by Mr. Jinks, as in themselves unnecessary and a waste of time. The
reader may estimate the probabilities, pro and con, for himself.

Whatever doubt exists, however, upon the subject of this
interview--its character and complexion--no doubt at all can possibly
attach to the picturesque denouement which we have referred to in the
last lines of our last chapter.

Mr. Jinks was on his knees before the beautiful Sallianna.

The girls and their companions