We came home again by half an hour after one; and he was pleasing himself
with thinking, not to be an hour out of my company this blessed day, that
(as he was so good as to say) he might inspire me with a familiarity that
should improve my confidence in him, when he was told, that a footman of
Sir Charles Hargrave had been here, to let him know, that his master, and
two other gentlemen, were on the road to take a dinner with him, in their
way to Nottingham.
He was heartily vexed at this, and said to me, He should have been glad
of their companies at any other time; but that it was a barbarous
intrusion now; and he wished they had been told he would not be at home
at dinner: And besides, said he, they are horrid drinkers; and I shan't
be able to get them away to-night, perhaps; for they have nothing to do,
but to travel round the country, and beat up their friends' quarters all
the way; and it is all one to them, whether they stay a night or a month
at a place. But, added he, I'll find some way, if I can, to turn them
off, after dinner.--Confound them, said he, in a violent pet, that they
should come this day, of all the days in the year!
We had hardly alighted, and got in, before they came: Three mad rakes
they seemed to be, as I looked through the window, setting up a hunting
note, as soon as they came to the gate, that made the court-yard echo
again; and smacking their whips in concert.
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