 the lady, not without some marks of disorder. - Having helped her
up, he entered himself, growling a few oaths against the coachman for his
impertinent interruption; and the lawyer comforted him, by saying, that if he
had suffered a nisi prius through the obstinacy of the defendant, he would have
an opportunity to join issue at the next stage. This last expression gave
offence to the grave gentlewoman, who told him, if she was a man, she would make
him repent of such obscenity, and thanked God she had never been in such company
before. - At this insinuation, the captain thought himself under a necessity of
espousing the lady's cause; and accordingly threatned to cut the lawyer's ears
out of his head, if he should give his tongue any such liberties for the future.
- The poor counsellor begged pardon, and universal silence ensued.
 

                                   Chapter LV

I resolve to ingratiate myself with the mother, and am favoured by accident -
the precise lady finds her husband, and quits the coach - the captain is
disappointed of his dinner - we arrive at Bath -- I accompany Miss Snapper to
the long room, where she is attacked by beau N--h, and turns the laugh against
him -- I make love to her, and receive a check -- I squire her to an assembly,
where I am blest with a sight of my dear Narcissa, which discomposes me so much,
that Miss Snapper observing my disorder, is at pains to discover the cause - is
picqued at the occasion, and in our way home, pays me a sarcastic compliment --
I am met by Miss Williams, who is maid and confidante of Narcissa -- she
acquaints me with her lady's regard for me while under the disguise of a
servant, and describes the transports of Narcissa on seeing me at the assembly,
in the character of a gentleman -- I am surprized with an account of her aunt's
marriage, and make an appointment to meet Miss Williams next day
 
During this unsocial interval, my pride and interest maintained a severe
conflict, on the subject of Miss Snapper, whom the one represented as unworthy
of my notice, and the other proposed as the object of my whole attention: The
advantages and disadvantages attending such a match, were opposed to one another
by my imagination; and at length, my judgment gave it so much in favour of the
first, that I resolved to prosecute my scheme, with all the address in my power.
- I thought I perceived some concern in her countenance, occasioned by my
silence,
