He had really done his best to keep
his temper in the hearing of the flirtations I have mentioned; but he broke
down at last. An old and very distinguished General took Miss Youghal for a
ride, and began that specially offensive "you're-only-a-little-girl" sort of
flirtation--most difficult for a woman to turn aside deftly, and most
maddening to listen to. Miss Youghal was shaking with fear at the things he
said in the hearing of her sais. Dulloo--Strickland--stood it as long as he
could. Then he caught hold of the General's bridle, and, in most fluent
English, invited him to step off and be heaved over the cliff. Next minute
Miss Youghal began crying; and Strickland saw that he had hopelessly given
himself away, and everything was over.
The General nearly had a fit, while Miss Youghal was sobbing out the story of
the disguise and the engagement that wasn't recognized by the parents.
Strickland was furiously angry with himself and more angry with the General
for forcing his hand; so he said nothing, but held the horse's head and
prepared to thrash the General as some sort of satisfaction, but when the
General had thoroughly grasped the story, and knew who Strickland was, he
began to puff and blow in the saddle, and nearly rolled off with laughing.
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