Why, said he, the dean himself looked more upon you than his
book.
O sir, said I, you are very encouraging to a weak mind! I vow, said he,
I say no more than is truth: I'd marry to-morrow, if I was sure of
meeting with a person of but one-half the merit you have. You are,
continued he, and 'tis not my way to praise too much, an ornament to your
sex, an honour to your spouse, and a credit to religion.--Every body is
saying so, added he; for you have, by your piety, edified the whole
church.
As he had done speaking, the dean himself complimented me, that the
behaviour of so worthy a lady, would be very edifying to his
congregation, and encouraging to himself. Sir, said I, you are very
kind: I hope I shall not behave unworthy of the good instructions I shall
have the pleasure to receive from so worthy a divine. He bowed, and went
on.
Sir Thomas then applied to me, my master stepping into the chariot, and
said, I beg pardon, madam, for detaining your good spouse from you: but I
have been saying, he is the happiest man in the world. I bowed to him,
but I could have wished him further, to make me sit so in the notice of
every one; which, for all I could do, dashed me not a little. Mr. Martin
said to my master, If you'll come to church every Sunday with your
charming lady, I will never absent myself, and she'll give a good example
to all the neighbourhood.
Pages:
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819