‘He knew that green wax, Kitty. He tasted that “bin” when he was here last.’
‘Perhaps so; but he certainly seemed overjoyed at something.’
‘Let me see,’ muttered he, ‘wasn’t he the big fellow with the long moustaches?’
‘A tall, very good-looking man; dark as a Spaniard, and not unlike one.’
‘To be sure, to be sure. I remember him well. He was a capital shot with the pistol, and he liked his wine. By the way, Nina did not take to him.’
‘How do you remember that, papa?’ said she archly.
If I don’t mistake, she told me so, or she called him a brute, or a savage, or some one of those things a man is sure to be, when a woman discovers he will not be her slave.’
Nina entering at the moment cut short all rejoinder, and Kearney came forward to meet her with his hand out.
‘Shake out your lower courses, and let me look at you,’ cried he, as he walked round her admiringly. ‘Upon my oath, it’s more beautiful than ever you are! I can guess what a fate is reserved for those dandies from Dublin.’
‘Do you like my dress, sir? Is it becoming?’ asked she.