
that, if it was her misfortune to lose him, she should for ever abandon all
Thoughts of Mankind.« She therefore resolved to visit him, notwithstanding all
the prudent Advice of her Aunt to the contrary, and that very Afternoon executed
her Resolution.
    The Lady was proceeding in her Story, when the Coach drove into the Inn
where the Company were to dine, sorely to the dissatisfaction of Mr. Adams,
whose Ears were the most hungry Part about him; he being, as the Reader may
perhaps guess, of an insatiable Curiosity, and heartily desirous of hearing the
End of this Amour, tho' he professed he could scarce wish Success to a Lady of
so inconstant a Disposition.
 

                                   Chapter V

 A dreadful Quarrel which happened at the Inn where the Company dined, with its
                       bloody Consequences to Mr. Adams.
 
As soon as the Passengers had alighted from the Coach, Mr. Adams, as was his
Custom, made directly to the Kitchin, where he found Joseph sitting by the Fire
and the Hostess anointing his Leg: for the Horse which Mr. Adams had borrowed of
his Clerk, had so violent a Propensity to kneeling, that one would have thought
it had been his Trade as well as his Master's: nor would he always give any
notice of such his Intention; he was often found on his Knees, when the Rider
least expected it. This Foible however was of no great Inconvenience to the
Parson, who was accustomed to it, and as his Legs almost touched the Ground when
he bestrode the Beast, had but a little way to fall, and threw himself forward
on such Occasions with so much dexterity, that he never received any Mischief;
the Horse and he frequently rolling many Paces distance, and afterwards both
getting up and meeting as good Friends as ever.
    Poor Joseph, who had not been used to such kind of Cattle, tho' an excellent
Horseman, did not so happily disengage himself: but falling with his Leg under
the Beast, received a violent Contusion, to which the good Woman was, as we have
said, applying a warm Hand with some camphirated Spirits just at the time when
the Parson entered the Kitchin.
    He had scarce express'd his Concern for Joseph's Misfortune, before the Host
likewise entered. He was by no means of Mr. Tow-wouse's gentle Disposition, and
was indeed perfect Master of his House and every thing in it but his Guests.
    This surly Fellow, who always proportioned his Respect to the Appearance of
a Traveller, from God bless your Honour, down to plain Coming presently,
