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.
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