He seemed not readily to know how to answer; and my master
said, If Longman refuse you, my dear, he may be said to refuse your first
favour. On that I put twenty guineas in his hand; but he insisted upon
it, that he would take but five. I said, I must desire you to oblige me,
Mr. Longman, or I shall think I have affronted you. Well, if I must,
said he, I know what I know. What is that, Mr. Longman? said I.--Why,
madam, said he, I will not lay it out till my young master's birth-day,
which I hope will be within this twelvemonth.
Not expecting anything like this from the old gentleman, I looked at my
master, and then blushed so, I could not hold up my head. Charmingly
said, Longman! said my master, and clasped me in his arms: O, my dear
life! God send it may be so!--You have quite delighted me, Longman!
Though I durst not have said such a thing for the world.--Madam, said the
old gentleman, I beg your pardon; I hope no offence: but I'd speak it ten
times in a breath to have it so, take it how you please, as long as my
good master takes it so well. Mrs. Jervis, said my master, this is an
over-nice dear creature; you don't know what a life I have had with her,
even on this side matrimony.--Said Mrs. Jervis, I think Mr. Longman says
very well; I am sure I shall hope for it too.
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