That's the language--the elevated
language--of a gentleman, Mr. Burke."
"My authority then is no other than Bryan M'Mahon himself," replied
Hycy, "who told me that he was cautioned against me; so that I hope
you're now satisfied."
"Mr. Burke," replied Finigan, assuming a lofty and impressive manner,
"I have known the M'Mahons for better than forty years; so, in fact, has
the country around them; and until the present moment I never heard that
a deliberate falsehood, or any breach of truth whatsoever, was imputed
to any one of them. Tom M'Mahon's simple word was never doubted, and
would pass aquil to many a man's oath; and it is the same thing wid the
whole family, man and women. They are proverbial, sir, for truth
and integrity, and a most spontaneous effusion of candor under all
circumstances. You will pardon me then, Mr. Hycy, if I avow a trifle of
heresy in this matter. You are yourself, wid great respect be it spoken,
sometimes said to sport your imagination occasionally, and to try your
hand wid considerable success at a _lapsus veritatis_. Pardon me, then,
if I think it somewhat more probable that you have just now stated what
an ould instructor of mine used to call a moral thumper; excuse me, I
say; and at all events I have the pleasure of drinking your health; and
if my conjecture be appropriate, here's also a somewhat closer adhesion
to the _veritas_ aforesaid to you!"
"Do you mean to insinuate that I'm stating what is not true?" said
Burke, assuming an offended look, which, however, he did not feel.
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