"So you pretend not to understand, do you! Vile caitiff! advance one step at your peril--try to go and complete arrangements for a matrimonial engagement at the Bower of Nature, and thou diest!"
Verty was getting angry.
"Mr. Jinks, you"d better get out of the way," he said, calmly.
"Never! stand back! Attempt to push your animal toward me, and I slaughter him. Base caitiff! Know that the rival you have yonder is myself! Know that she loves you not, and is now laughing at you, however much she may have made you believe she loved you! She is a wretch!"
Verty thought Mr. Jinks spoke of Redbud--the dominant idea again--and frowned.
"Yes! a perfidious, unfeeling traitoress," observed Mr. Jinks, grimacing terribly; "and if thou makest a single step toward her, I will spit thee on my sword!"
Verty c.o.c.ked his rifle, and placing the muzzle thereof on the Jinks"
breast, made a silent movement of his head, to the effect, that Mr.
Jinks would consult his personal safety by ceasing to obstruct the way.
Jinks no sooner heard the click of the trigger, and saw the murderous muzzle directed towards his breast, than letting his sword fall, he started back with a horrified expression, crying, "murder!" with all the strength of his lungs; and even in his terror and excitement varied this expression by giving the alarm of "fire!"--for what reason, he always declined to explain, even to his most intimate friends.
Verty did not even smile, though he remained for a moment motionless, looking at Mr. Jinks.
Then touching Cloud with his heel, he set forward again, followed by the dignified Longears. As for Longears, we regret to say, that, on the occasion in question, he did not comport himself with that high decorum and stately courtesy which were such distinguishing traits in his elevated character. His mouth slowly opened--his lips curled around his long, white teeth, and his visage was shaken with a nervous tremor, as, looking over his shoulder, he went on in Cloud"s footsteps. Longears was laughing--positively laughing--at Mr. Jinks.
That gentleman ceased crying "fire!" and "murder!" as soon as he came to the conclusion that there was no danger from the one or the other.
He picked up his sword, looked around him cautiously, and seeing that no one had observed his flight, immediately a.s.sumed his habitual air of warlike dignity, and extended his hand--which held the hilt of his undrawn sword--toward Verty. This gesture was so tragic, and replete with such kingly ferocity, that Mr. Jinks was plainly devoting Verty to the infernal G.o.ds; and the curses trembling on his lips confirmed this idea.
He was standing in this melo-dramatic att.i.tude, gazing after the Indian, when he felt a hand upon his shoulder, and heard a jovial voice say, "How are you, Jinks, my boy! What"s the fun?"
The voice was that of Mr. Ralph Ashley.
CHAPTER x.x.xI.
MR. JINKS ON HORSE-BACK, GOING TO TAKE REVENGE.
Jinks remained silent a moment. Standing face to face, the two personages surveyed each other in silence--the one laughing, joyous, ready for any amus.e.m.e.nt which would be so obliging as to turn up; the other stately, warlike, and breathing terrible and malignant vengeance.
Ralph laughed.
"I say, old fellow, what"s the matter?" he asked; "you look decidedly blood-thirsty."
"I am, sir!"
"By Jove! I don"t doubt it: you resemble Achilles, when he and Agamemnon had their miff. What"s the odds?"
"I have been insulted, sir!"
"Insulted?"
"And tricked!"
"Impossible."
Jinks remained silent for a moment, looking after Verty.
"Yes," he said, with an awful scowl, "that young man has robbed me of my mistress--"
"Who--Verty?"
"Yes, sir."
Ralph burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at?" asked Jinks, with dignity.
"At your falling in love with Redbud Summers."
"I am not, sir; perhaps in light moments I may have made that youthful damsel a few gallant speeches; but I did not refer to her, sir."
"To whom, then?"
"To the perfidious Sallianna."
"Oh!" cried Ralph, restraining his laughter by a powerful effort.
"What surprises you, sir?"
"Nothing."
"You laugh."
"Can"t help it. The idea of your thinking Verty your rival in the affections of Miss Sallianna! Jinks, my boy, you are blinded with love--open your eyes, and don"t think you can see while they are closed. I tell you, Verty is in love with Redbud--I know it, sir. Or, if he is not with Redbud, it"s f.a.n.n.y. No, I don"t think it is f.a.n.n.y,"
murmured Ralph, with a thoughtful expression; "I think I"m safe there.
A dangerous rival!"
And Ralph smiled at his own thoughts.
"What did you say, sir?" asked Jinks, frowning in the direction of the Bower of Nature.
"Nothing, my boy; but I say, Jinks, what makes you look so fierce? You resemble an ogre--you"re not going to eat Mr. Verty?"
"No, sir; but I"m going to call him to account. If he is not my rival, he has stood in my way."
"How!"
"The perfidious Sallianna has fallen in love with him!"