This was Verty, who, absorbed as completely by his own thoughts as was Mr. Jinks, did not see that gentleman until Cloud very nearly walked over the diminutive Fodder.
Mr. Jinks laid his hand on his sword, and frowned; for it was one of the maxims of this great militaire, that one is never more apt to escape an attack than when he appears to hold himself in readiness, and seems prepared for either event.
Verty did not consider himself bound, however, to engage in a combat at the moment; and so with grave politeness, bowed and pa.s.sed on his way.
They arrived at the tavern nearly at the same moment.
Ralph was sitting on the porch, inhaling the fresh October air, gazing at the bright waves of the little stream which sparkled by beneath the willows; and at times varying these amus.e.m.e.nts by endeavoring to smoke from a pipe which had gone out, He looked the picture of indolent enjoyment.
Within a few feet of him sat the ruddy, full-faced landlord, as idle as himself.
At sight of Mr. Jinks and Verty, Ralph rose, with a smile, and came toward them.
"Ah! my dear Jinks," he said, after bowing to Verty familiarly, "how did you get out of that sc.r.a.pe? I regret that business of a private and important nature forced me to leave you, and go round the corner.
How did it result?"
"Triumphantly, sir!" said Mr. Jinks, dismounting, and, with great dignity, entrusting Fodder to a stable-boy, lounging near; "that hound, O"Brallaghan, knew his place, sir, and did not presume to complain--"
"Of Fodder?"
"Of anything, sir."
"The fact is, it would have been ridiculous. What had he to complain of, I should like to be informed. So he retreated?"
"He did, sir," said Mr. Jinks, with dignity, "amid the hisses of the a.s.sembled crowd."
"Just as I suspected; it would take a bold fellow to force such a Don Quixote and Dapple, as yourself and Fodder!"
"Yes; although I regretted," said Mr. Jinks, with great dignity, "the accident which occurred when we set out, I rejoice at having had an occasion to inform that Irish conspirator and St. Michael-hater, that I held him in opprobrious contempt."
And Mr. Jinks glanced at the landlord.
"He was making the breeches for St. Michael, whom he is to represent,"
said Mr. Jinks, "day after to-morrow; and I have not done with him--the Irish villain!"
Mr. Jinks looked again, significantly, at the host.
That gentleman had not lost a word of the conversation, and his sleepy eyes now opened. He beckoned to Mr. Jinks. A smile illumined the countenance of the worthy--the landlord was a German;--the plot against Irish O"Brallaghan was gaining strength.
The landlord rose, and, with a significant look, entered the house, followed by Mr. Jinks, who turned his head, as he disappeared, to cast a triumphant look upon Ralph.
No sooner had he pa.s.sed from sight, than Ralph turned to Verty, who had sat quietly upon Cloud, during this colloquy, and burst into laughter.
"That is the greatest character I have ever known, Verty," he said; "and I have been amusing myself with him all the morning."
Verty was thinking, and without paying much attention to Ralph, smiled, and said:
"Anan?--yes--"
"I believe you are dreaming."
"Oh, no--only thinking," said Verty, smiling; "I can"t get out of the habit, and I really don"t think I heard you. But I can"t stop. Here"s a note Redbud asked me to give you--for f.a.n.n.y. She said you might be going up to old Scowley"s--"
"Might be! I rather think I am! Ah, Miss Redbud, you are a mischievous one. But why take the trouble to say that of the divine s.e.x? They"re all dangerous, scheming and satirical."
"Anan?" said Verty, smiling, as he tossed Ralph the note.
"Don"t mind me," said Ralph; "I was just talking, as usual, at random, and slandering the s.e.x. But what are you sitting there for, my dear Verty? Get down and come in. I"m dying of weariness."
Verty shook his head.
"I must go and see Mr. Roundjacket," he said.
"What! is he sick?"
"Yes."
"Much?"
Verty smiled.
"I think not," he said; "but I don"t know--I havn"t much time; good-bye."
And touching Cloud with the spur, Verty went on. Ralph looked after him for a moment, twirled the note in his fingers, read the superscription,--"To Miss f.a.n.n.y Temple,"--and then, laughing carelessly, lounged into the house, intent on making a third in the councils of those great captains, Mr. Jinks and the landlord.
We shall accompany Verty, who rode on quietly, and soon issued from the town--that is to say, the more bustling portion of it; for Winchester, at that time, consisted of but two streets, and even these were mere roads, as they approached the suburbs.
Roundjacket"s house was a handsome little cottage, embowered in trees, on the far western outskirts of the town. Here the poet lived in bachelor freedom, and with a degree of comfort which might have induced any other man to be satisfied with his condition. We know, from his own a.s.sertion, that Roundjacket was not;--he had an excellent little house, a beautiful garden, every comfort which an ample "estate" could bring him, but he had no wife. That was the one thing needful.
Verty dismounted, and admiring the beautiful sward, the well tended flowers, and the graceful appendages of the mansion--from the bronze knocker, with Minerva"s head upon it, to the slight and comfortable wicker smoking-chairs upon the porch--opened the little gate, and knocked.
An old negro woman, who superintended, with the a.s.sistance of her equally aged husband, this bachelor paradise, appeared at the door; and hearing Verty"s request of audience, was going to prefer it to Mr.
Roundjacket.
This was rendered unnecessary, however, by the gentleman himself. He called from the comfortable sitting-room to Verty, and the visitor entered.
CHAPTER LVII.
CONTAINS AN EXTRAORDINARY DISCLOSURE.
Roundjacket was clad in a handsome dressing-gown, and was heading, or essaying to read--for he had the rheumatism in his right shoulder--a roll of ma.n.u.script. Beside him lay a ruler, which he grasped, and made a movement of hospitable reception with, as Verty came in.
"Welcome, welcome, my young friend," said Roundjacket; "you see me laid up, sir"