Should he go on his handsome animal, and enact the little drama, which he had arranged in his mind, with Miss Sallianna at the Bower of Nature? Should he, on this morning, advance to victory and revenge in that direction? Or should he go and challenge his enemy, Verty, and make his name glorious forever?
These conflicting ideas chased themselves through Mr. Jinks' mind, and rendered him irresolute.
He was interrupted in the midst of them by a voice, laughing and sonorous, which cried from the direction of the gateway:
"Hey, there! What now, Jinks'? What thoughts occupy your mind, my dear fellow?"
And Ralph came out from the yard of the tavern, mounted upon his handsome animal, as fresh and bright-looking as himself.
"I was reflecting, sir," said Mr. Jinks, "I have much to occupy me to-day."
"Ah? Well, set about it—set about it! Don't you know that the great element of success in life, from killing a mosquito to winning an empress, is to strike at once, and at the right moment? Go on, Jinks, my boy, and luck to you!"
"Thanks, sir," replied Mr. Jinks—"I hope I shall have luck."
"Of course, because you have genius! What is luck?" cried Ralph, bending down to smooth the glossy neck of his animal, and laughing gaily,—"why, nothing but a word! Luck, sir, is nothing—genius everything. Luck throws her old shoe after, as says the proverb; but genius catches it, and conquers. Come, you are good at everything, let us have a race!"
"No, I thank you," said Mr. Jinks, drawing back; "I have business, sir—important business, sir!"