 contriving how to
give the Captain proper Encouragement, without appearing too forward; for she
was a strict Observer of all Rules of Decorum. In this, however, she easily
succeeded; for as the Captain was always on the Look-out, no Glance, Gesture, or
Word, escaped him.
    The Satisfaction which the Captain received from the kind Behaviour of Miss
Bridget, was not a little abated by his Apprehensions of Mr. Allworthy; for,
notwithstanding his disinterested Professions, the Captain imagined he would,
when he came to act, follow the Example of the rest of the World, and refuse his
Consent to a Match, so disadvantageous in point of Interest, to his Sister. From
what Oracle he received this Opinion, I shall leave the Reader to determine;
but, however he came by it, it strangely perplexed him how to regulate his
Conduct so, as at once to convey his Affection to the Lady, and to conceal it
from her Brother. He, at length, resolved to take all private Opportunities of
making his Addresses; but in the Presence of Mr. Allworthy to be as reserved,
and as much upon his Guard as was possible; and this Conduct was highly approved
by the Brother.
    He soon found Means to make his Addresses, in express Terms, to his
Mistress, from whom he receiv'd an Answer in the proper Form; viz. The Answer
which was first made some thousands of Years ago, and which hath been handed
down by Tradition from Mother to Daughter ever since. If I was to translate this
into Latin, I should render it by these two Words, Nolo Episcopari; a Phrase
likewise of immemorial Use on another Occasion.
    The Captain, however he came by his Knowledge, perfectly well understood the
Lady; and very soon after repeated his Application with more Warmth and
Earnestness than before, and was again, according to due Form, rejected; but as
he had encreased in the Eagerness of his Desires, so the Lady, with the same
Propriety, decreased in the Violence of her Refusal.
    Not to tire the Reader, by leading him through every Scene of this
Courtship, (which, tho' in the Opinion of a certain great Author, it is the
pleasantest Scene of Life to the Actor, is perhaps as dull and tiresome as any
whatever to the Audience) the Captain made his Advances in Form, the Citadel was
defended in Form, and at length, in proper Form, surrendered at Discretion.
    During this whole Time, which filled the Space of near a Month, the Captain
preserved great Distance of Behaviour to
