Amelia -- Volume 2

g various

ed by the good-humour in which he found his company. My lord received him with the utmost marks of friendship and affection, and told

nger, and almost as well as himself. This made her satisfaction complete, threw her into such spirits, and gave such a lustre to her eyes, t

t, considering the great liking he always shews for our sex, and he may certainly have the choice of all. The real reason, I believe, is, his fondness for his sister's children. I declare, madam, if you was to see his behaviour to them, you would think they were his own. Indeed he is vastly fond of all manner of children." "Good creature!" cries Amelia; "if ever he doth me the honour of another visit I am resolved I will shew him my little things. I think, Mrs. Ellison, as you say my lord loves children, I may say, without vanity, h

smile, "this behaviour of ours puts me in mind of the common conduct of beggars; who, whenever they receive a favour, are sure to send other objects

thinking? Begging, indeed! the poor little dear things a begging! If my lord was capable of such a thought, though he was my own brother instead of my cousin, I should scorn him too

o much in the wrong as he was considered by Mrs. Ellison, yet, seeing there were two to one against him, he w

ired. She was indeed a woman of most profuse generosity, and could not bear a thought which she deemed vulgar or sneaking. She afterwards launched forth the most profuse encomiums of his lordship's libera

h expectation he continued till he came to the end of the mall, and so he might have continued till he came to the end of the world; for, though several words stood at the end of the serjeant's lips, there they were likely to remain for ever. He was, indeed, in the condition

matter without first asking your leave. Indeed, if I had taken any liberties from the goodness you have been pleased to shew me, I should look upon myself as one of the most worthless and despicable of wretches; but nothing is farther from my thoughts. I know the distance which is between us; and, because your h

s Booth; "what mighty matter would you i

to spoil my fortune in an honest way, when it is dropt into my lap without my own seeking. For may I perish if it is not all the lady's own goodness, and I hope in Heaven, with your honour's leave, I shall live to make her amends for it." In a word, that

lady. He answered him briskly and chearfully, that he had his free consent to marry any woman whatever; "and the greater and richer she is," added he, "the more I shal

merit the kindness she is pleased to shew me. I will be bold to say she will marry an honest man, though he is but

s a secret, Joe, i

onour will not insist upon knowing that, as I thi

lose the name of a fair lady." Booth then shook Atkinson heartily by the hand, and assured him earnestly of the joy he had in his good

prevent laughing in her face. He ran directly up-stairs, and, throwing himself into a chair, d

e news did not affect her in the same manner it had affected her husband. On the contrary, she cried, "I protest I cannot guess what makes you see it in so ridiculous a light. I reall

, who was then present, said, "So, captain, my jantee-serjeant was very early here this morning. I scolded my maid heartily for letting him wait so long in the entry like a lacquais, w

e blushed, and looked very silly, as is always the case with persons who suspect themselves t

"I ask your pardon, dear Mrs. Ellison; but Mr. Booth hath been in a stran

," cries Booth, "but one is so

gh as much as you please; I am not ashamed of owning I think him one of the prettiest fellows I ever saw in my life;

d I hope the next time he will be

, wherever he is ushered, I am convinced he

eeded to very great lengths; for Booth was of a waggish inclin