"No chance, sir!"

Ralph's propensity for mischief got the better of him; and leaning over, he whispered in the warlike gentleman's ear, as he pointed to Miss Sallianna.

"I say, Jinks, don't you understand?--desperately in love--hum--with--hum--Verty here; no doubt of it!"

And Ralph drew back, looking mysterious.

Mr. Jinks cast upon the quiet Verty a glance which would have frozen giants into stone.

"No, sir! all explained!" he said.

"It can't be, my dear fellow," said Ralph, in a low tone. "Verty has the proofs."

"Did you speak to me?" said Verty, smiling: he had been talking with Redbud during this conference.

"Yes, I did," said Ralph. Verty smiled, and said:

"I did not hear what you asked."

"No wonder," said Ralph. And turning to Mr. Jinks:

"Observe," he said, in a low tone, "how Mr. Verty is trying to make Miss Sallianna jealous."

"Perdition!" said Mr. Jinks.

"Oh, certainly!" replied Ralph, with solemn sympathy; "but here is Mr.

Verty waiting patiently to hear what I have to say."

"Yes," said Verty, still smiling.

"It is Mr. Jinks who desires to speak," said Ralph, retiring with a chuckle, and leaving the adversaries face to face.

"Hum--at--yes, sir--I desired to speak, sir!" said Mr. Jinks, with threatening calmness.

"Did you?" said Verty, smiling.

"Yes, sir!"

"I can hear now."

"It is well that you can, sir! Mark me, sir! Some people cannot hear!"

"Ah?" said Verty, "yes, you mean deaf people!"

"I refer to others, sir!"

"Yes?"

"Nor can they see."

"Blind people," suggested Verty.

Mr. Jinks had an impression that Verty was trifling with him; and considering him too good-natured to quarrel, advanced toward him with a threatening gesture.

"I refer to people neither blind nor deaf, who cannot see nor hear insults, sir!" he said.

"I never knew any," said Verty, wondering at Mr. Jinks.

"You are one, sir!"

"I!"

"Yes!"

"Do you mean I am afraid of anything?"

"I mean, sir, that I have been wronged."

"I don't care," said Verty, "you are not good-natured."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"You are angry."

"I am, sir!"

"I advise you not to be; you don't look handsome," said Verty."

"Sir!" cried Mr. Jinks.

Verty's face a.s.sumed an expression of mild inquiry.

"Will you fight?"

"Yes," said Verty, "but you ought not to fight with that old sword.

It's too long, and besides it would frighten old Scowley--"

"Sir!" cried Mr. Jinks, ferociously.

"And I know Miss Sallianna would scream," said Verty. "I would'nt mind that, though--I would'nt--for I don't like her--she told me a story!"

Mr. Jinks flashed out his sword, and brandished it around his head.

"Oh, me! you've been scrubbing it!" said Verty, laughing.

To describe the terrific rage of Mr. Jinks at this disregard of himself, his threats and weapon, would be utterly impossible.

The great Jinks raved, swore, and executed such ferocious pirouettes upon his gra.s.shopper legs, in the direction of the smiling Verty, that Ralph became alarmed at the consequence of his mischief, and hastened to the rescue.