'Well, and how is Miles?'
'Why, ha, ha! he's back again, with a bill, as usual, and a horse to sell—a good one—the black one, don't you remember? He wants five and thirty guineas; 'tisn't worth two pounds ten. "Do you know anyone who wants him? I would not mind taking a bill, with a couple of good names upon it," says he. Upon my credit I believe he thought I'd buy him myself. "Well," says I, "I think I do know a fellow that would give you his value, and pay you cash besides," says I. 'Twas as good as a play to see his face. "Who is he?" says he, taking me close by the arm. "The knacker," says I. 'Twas a bite for Miles; hey? ha, ha, ha!'
'And is it true old Tresham's going to join our club at last?'
'He! hang him! he's like a brute beast, and never drinks but when he's dry, and then small beer. But, I forgot to tell you, by all that's lovely, they do say the charming Magnolia—a fine bouncing girl that—is all but betrothed to Lieutenant O'Flaherty.'
Devereux laughed, and thus encouraged, Toole went on, with a wink and a whisper.
'Why, the night of the ball, you know, he saw her home, and they say he kissed her—by Bacchus, on both sides of the face,—at the door there, under the porch; and you know, if he had not a right, she'd a-knocked him down.'
'Psha! the girl's a Christian, and when she's smacked on one cheek she turns the other. And what says the major to it?'
'Why, as it happened, he opened the door precisely as the thing occurred; and he wished Lieutenant O'Flaherty good-night, and paid him a visit in the morning. And they say 'tis all satisfactory; and—by Jove! 'tis good punch.' And Mrs. Irons entered with a china bowl on a tray.