Swallowing six tumblers of it, I paused
nervously for a moment, and then said--
"Bobbachy, consomah, ballybaloo hoga."
The black ruffians took the hint and retired.
"Colonel and Mrs. Jowler," said I solemnly, "we are alone; and you,
Miss Jowler, you are alone too; that is--I mean--I take this opportunity
to--(another glass of ale, if you please)--to express, once for all,
before departing on a dangerous campaign"--(Julia turned pale)--"before
entering, I say, upon a war which may stretch in the dust my high-raised
hopes and me, to express my hopes while life still remains to me, and
to declare in the face of heaven, earth, and Colonel Jowler, that I love
you, Julia!" The Colonel, astonished, let fall a steel fork, which stuck
quivering for some minutes in the calf of my leg; but I heeded not the
paltry interruption. "Yes, by yon bright heaven," continued I, "I
love you, Julia! I respect my commander, I esteem your excellent and
beauteous mother; tell me, before I leave you, if I may hope for a
return of my affection. Say that you love me, and I will do such deeds
in this coming war as shall make you proud of the name of your Gahagan."
The old woman, as I delivered these touching words, stared, snapped, and
ground her teeth, like an enraged monkey.
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