 it would be impossible to conceal
his situation much longer, frankly owned what he had done, and excused himself
for not having asked the consent of his father, by saying, he knew it would be
to no purpose; and that, had his inclination been known, my grandfather might
have taken such measures as would have effectually put the gratification of it
out of his power: he added, that no exception could be made to his wife's
virtue, birth, beauty, and good sense, and as for fortune, it was beneath his
consideration. - The old gentleman, who kept all his passions (except one) in
excellent order, heard him to an end with great temper; and then calmly asked,
how he proposed to maintain himself and spouse? - He replied he could be in no
danger of wanting, while his father's tenderness remained, which he and his wife
would always cherish with the utmost veneration; that he was persuaded his
allowance would be suitable to the dignity and circumstances of his family, and
the provision already made to his brothers and sisters, who were happily settled
under his protection. - Your brothers and sisters, said my grandfather, did not
think it beneath them to consult me in an affair of such importance as
matrimony; neither (I suppose) would you have omitted that piece of duty, had
you not some secret fund in reserve, to the comforts of which I leave you, with
a desire that you will this night, seek out another habitation for yourself and
wife, whither in a short time, I will send you an account of the expence I have
been at in your education, with a view of being reimbursed. - Sir, you have made
the grand tour - you are a polite gentleman - a very pretty gentleman - I wish
you a great deal of joy, and am your very humble servant. So saying, he left my
father in a situation easily imagined. However, he did not long hesitate; for
being perfectly well acquainted with his father's disposition, he did not doubt
that he was glad of this pretence to get rid of him; and as his resolves were
invariable like the laws of the Medes and Persians, he knew it would be to no
purpose to attempt him by prayers and intreaties; so without any farther
application, he betook himself with his disconsolate bedfellow, to a farm-house,
where an old servant of his mother dwelt; there they remained some time in a
situation but ill adapted to the elegance of their desires and tenderness of
their love; which nevertheless,
