Mrs. Arthur said, You have, indeed,
sir, a charming creature, as ever I saw; and she has mighty good luck.
Ay, said I, and so have I. But I shall say the less, because a man never
did any thing of this nature, that he did not think he ought, if it were
but in policy, to make the best of it. Nay, said Mr. Arthur, if you have
sinned, it is with your eyes open: for you know the world as well as any
gentleman of your years in it.'
'Why, really, gentlemen, said I, I should be glad to please all my
friends; but I can't expect, till they know my motives and inducements,
that it will be so immediately. But I do assure you, I am exceedingly
pleased myself; and that, you know, is most to the purpose.'
'Said Mr. Brooks, I have heard my wife praise your spouse that is, so
much for person and beauty, that I wanted to see her of all things. Why,
replied I, if you'll all go and take a dinner with me, you shall see her
with all my heart. And, Mrs. Arthur, will you bear us company? No,
indeed, sir, said she. What, I'll warrant, my wife will not be able to
reconcile you to my mother's waiting-maid; is not that it? Tell truth,
Mrs. Arthur. Nay, said she, I shan't be backward to pay your spouse a
visit, in company of the neighbouring ladies; but for one single woman to
go, on such a sudden motion too, with so many gentlemen, is not right.
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