'Impossible, Sir!' exclaimed his lordship. 'A heroine never eats of a four-footed animal. 'Tis always the leg of a lark, or the wing of a chicken.' And so saying, he began divesting himself of his spear, shield, and helmet. 'Pray, Mr. Blunderer,' whispered I to Jerry, 'did I not desire you to clean out the room?' 'You did not say a word about the blade-bone,' said Jerry. 'But did I not bid you clean out the room?' repeated I. 'Don't I tell you----' cried Jerry. 'Can't you speak low?' said I. 'Don't I tell you that not one syllable about the blade-bone ever came outside your lips?' 'Grant me patience!' said I. 'Answer me yes or no. Did I, or did I not, order you to clean out the room?' 'Now bad luck to me,' said he, 'if you ant all this time confounding the blade-bone of mutton with the leg of mutton that you bade me put under the bed. And accordingly----' 'Gracious goodness!' said I, 'can't you speak within your breath?' 'And accordingly,' whispered he, 'I put it under the velvet pall, because I thought it might be seen under the bed.' 'Well, that shewed _some_ discretion,' said I. 'Though after all my pains,' said Jerry, 'there is the man in the tin cloaths has just stripped down that same pall, and discovered the mutton, and the parsnips, and the bag of salt, and the pewter spoons, and----' 'Oh, Jerry, Jerry!' said I, dropping my arms lifeless at my sides; 'after that, I give you up!' I then called to his lordship, and drew off his attention, by beginning an account of all that had happened since our parting. He listened with great eagerness; and, after my recital, begged of the warden to retire with him, that they might consult on the best line of policy to be adopted in the present state of my affairs. They descended the steps; I remained alone. Montmorenci had left his helmet, shield, and spear behind. I pressed each of them to my heart, heaved several sighs, and paced the chamber. Still I felt that I was not half fervent or tender enough; something was still wanting, and I had just asked myself if that something could be love, when I heard a sudden disturbance below; his lordship crying out, 'Oh, what shall I do?' and Jerry bidding him 'grin and bear it.' Down I hastened, and beheld Jerry belabouring him without mercy. 'Wretch,' cried I, rushing between them: 'forbear.' 'Not till I beat him to a paste,' cried Jerry. 'The villain, to go and offer me a bribe if I would help him in forcing you to marry him.' ''Tis false as hell!' cried his lordship. 'I would stake my life that it is,' said I. 'So now, Mr. Sullivan, down on your knees this moment, and ask pardon, or quit my service.' 'But can that restore the teeth he has knocked out?' exclaimed his lordship, with a finger in his mouth. 'Teeth!' cried I, shuddering. 'Two teeth,' said he. 'Two teeth!' exclaimed I, faintly. 'Two front teeth,' said he. 'Then all is over!' muttered I. 'Matters have taken a dreadful turn.' 'What do you mean?' cried he.