And, kissing her, he added, Pray give me
your hand. John, said he, put up the horses; you are all as welcome to
me, for all your lady's angry with me, as at any inn you can put up at.
Come, Mr. H----, said he, lead your aunt in; for she won't permit that
honour to me.
This quite overcame her; and she said, giving her brother her hand, Yes,
I will, and you shall lead me any where! and kissed him. But don't
think, said she, I can forgive you neither. And so he led her into the
parlour where I was. But, said she, why do you lead me to this wench?
'Tis my wife, my dear sister; and if you will not love her, yet don't
forget common civilities to her, for your own sake.
Pray, madam, said her kinsman, since your brother is pleased to own his
marriage, we must not forget common civilities, as Mr. B---- says. And,
sir, added he, permit me to wish you joy. Thank you, sir, said he. And
may I? said he, looking at me. Yes, sir, replied my master. So he
saluted me, very complaisantly; and said, I vow to Gad, madam, I did not
know this yesterday; and if I was guilty of a fault, I beg your pardon.
My lady said, Thou'rt a good-natured foolish fellow; thou might'st have
saved this nonsensical parade, till I had given thee leave. Why, aunt,
said he, if they are actually married, there's no help for it; and we
must not make mischief between man and wife.
Pages:
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713