I must, on
secondary consideration, plead guilty to that fact."
"I thought as much," said Hycy.
"Here then--," proceeded Finigan, with a broad and provoking grin
upon his coarse but humorous features, "here, Mr. Hycy, is what I
did say--says I, 'Bryan, I have a word to say to you, touching an
accomplished young gentleman, a friend of yours.'
"'What is that?' asked the worthy Beit-nardus.
"'It is regarding the all-accomplished Mr. Hyacinthus Burke,' I replied,
'who is a _homo-factus ad unguem_. Mr. Burke, Bryan,' I proceeded, 'is a
gentleman in the--hem--true sense of that word. He is generous, candid,
faithful, and honest; and in association wid all his other excellent
qualities, he is celebrated, among the select few who know him best,
for an extraordinary attachment to--truth.' Now, if that wasn't
misrepresentation, Mr. Hycy, I don't know what was. Ha! ha! ha!"
"You're half drunk," replied Hycy, "or I should rather say whole drunk,
I think, and scarcely know what you're saying; or rather, I believe
you're a bit of a knave, Mr. O'Finigan."
"Thanks, sir; many thanks for the prefix. Proceed."
"I have nothing more to add," replied Hycy, rising up and preparing to
go.
"Ay," said Finigan, with another grin, "a bit of a knave, am I? Well,
now, isn't it better to be only a bit of a knave than a knave all out--a
knave in full proportions, from top to toe, from head to heel--like some
accomplished gentlemen that I have the! honor of being acquainted wid.
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