e mantel-piece, and
informed Mr. Rushton that those were the documents he desired.

The lawyer greeted this information with his customary growl, and
taking them, thrust them into his pocket. He then made a movement to
go; but the Squire persuaded him to stay and have a cup of tea. Verty
acquiesced in his suggestion that _he_ should spend the evening, with
the utmost readiness--_ma mere_ would not think it hard if he remained
an hour, he said.

And so the cheerful meal was cheerfully spread, and the twigs in the
fire-place crackled, and diffused their brief, mild warmth through
the cool evening air, and Caesar yawned upon the rug, and all went
merrily.

The old time-piece overhead ticked soberly, and the soft face of
Redbud's mother looked down from its frame upon them; and the room was
full of cheerfulness and light.

And still the old clock ticked and ticked, and carried all the world
toward eternity; the fire-light crackled, and the voices laughed;--the
portrait looked serenely down, and smiled.

CHAPTER LII.

HOW MR. JINKS DETERMINED TO SPARE VERTY.

Ralph stretched himself.

Mr. Jinks sipped his rum, and ruminated.

Ralph was smiling; Mr. Jinks scowling, and evidently busy with great
thoughts, which caused his brows to corrugate into hostile frowns.

It was the room of Mr. Jinks, in Bousch's tavern, which saw the
companions seated thus opposite to each other--the time, after
breakfast; the aim of the parties, discussion upon any or every topic.

Mr. Jinks was clad in his habitual costume: half dandy, half
_militaire_; and when he moved, his great sword rattled against his
grasshopper legs in a way terrifying to hear.

Ralph, richly dressed as usual, and reclining in his chair, smiled
lazily, and looked at the scowling Mr. Jinks. The apartment in which
the worthies were seated was one possessing the advantages of dormer
windows, and an extensive prospect over the roofs of Winchester; the
furniture was rough; and in the corner a simple couch stood, whereon
Mr. Jinks reposed himself at night.

While the various events which we have lately adverted to have been
occurring, Mr. Jinks has not forgotten that triple and grand revenge
he swore.

Mr. Jinks has un-christian feelings against three persons, for three
reasons:

First, against Verty: the cause being that gentleman's defiance and
disregard of himself on various occasions; also his rivalry in love.

Second, against Miss Sallianna: beautif