Insomuch, that the rough Mr.
Martin said, Did you ever think our good friend here, who used to
ridicule matrimony so much, would have made so complaisant a husband?
How long do you intend, sir, that this shall hold? As long as my good
girl deserves it, said he; and that, I hope, will be for ever. But,
continued the kind gentleman, you need not wonder I have changed my mind
as to wedlock; for I never expected to meet with one whose behaviour and
sweetness of temper were so well adapted to make me happy.
After dinner, and having drank good healths to each of their ladies, I
withdrew; and they sat and drank two bottles of claret a-piece, and were
very merry; and went away, full of my praises, and vowing to bring their
ladies to see me.
John having brought me your kind letter, my dear father, I told my good
master, after his friends were gone, how gratefully you received his
generous intentions as to the Kentish farm, and promised your best
endeavours to serve him in that estate; and that you hoped your industry
and care would be so well employed in it, that you should be very little
troublesome to him,--as to the liberal manner in which he had intended to
add to a provision, that of itself exceeded all you wished. He was very
well pleased with your cheerful acceptance of it.
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