 honoured, even by my mistress and Narcissa, who had been
informed of the whole affair by the chamber-maid. - In the mean time, the rival
queens expressed their passion by all the ways in their power: The cook
entertained me with choice bits, the dairy-maid with stroakings; the first would
often encourage me to declare myself, by complimenting me upon my courage and
learning, and observing, that if she had a husband like me, to maintain order
and keep accounts, she could make a great deal of money by setting up an
eating-house at London, for gentlemen's servants on board-wages. - The other
courted my affection, by shewing her own importance, and telling me, that many a
substantial farmer in the neighbourhood would be glad to marry her; but she was
resolved to please her eye, if she should plague her heart. - Then she would
launch out into the praise of my proper person, and say, she was sure I would
make a good husband, for I was very good-natured. - I began to be uneasy at the
importunities of these inamoratas, whom at another time, perhaps, I might have
pleased without the disagreeable sauce of matrimony; but at present, my whole
soul was engrossed by Narcissa, and I could not bear the thoughts of doing any
thing derogatory of the passion I entertained for her.
 

                                  Chapter XLI

Narcissa being in danger from the brutality of Sir Timothy, is rescued by me,
who revenge myself on my rival -- I declare my passion, and retreat to the
sea-side -- I am surrounded by smugglers, and carried to Bulloign -- I find my
uncle lieutenant Bowling, in great distress, and relieve him -- our conversation
 
At certain intervals, my ambition would revive; I would despise myself for my
tame resignation to my sordid fate, and revolve an hundred schemes for assuming
the character of a gentleman, to which I was intitled by birth and education. -
In these fruitless suggestions, time stole away unperceived, and I had already
remained eight months in the station of a footman, when an accident happened,
that put an end to my servitude, and for the present banished all hopes of
succeeding in my love.
    Narcissa went one day to visit Miss Thicket, who lived with her brother,
within less than a mile of our house, and was persuaded to walk home in the cool
of the evening, accompanied by Sir Timothy, who having a good deal of the brute
in him, was instigated to use some unbecoming familiarities with her, encouraged
