As I had not the best opinion of this gentleman, nor his jest, I said,
I am almost sorry, sir, for the gentleman's jest upon himself and his
lady; but I think it should have relieved him from a greater jest, your
pleasant confirmation of it.--But still the reason you give that it may
be so, I hope, is the reason that may be given that it is not so; to
wit, that they have been married some years.
Said Mr. Arthur, Mr. Martin, I think the lady has very handsomely
reproved you. I think so too, said Mr. Chambers; and it was but a very
indifferent compliment to a bride. Said Mr. Martin, Compliment or not,
gentlemen, I have never seen a matrimony of any time standing, that it
was not so, little or much: But I dare say it will never be so here.
To be sure, sir, said I, if it was, I must be the ungratefullest person
in the world, because I am the most obliged person in it. That notion,
said Mr. Arthur, is so excellent, that it gives a moral certainty it
never can. Sir, said Mr. Brooks to my dear master, softly, You have a most
accomplished lady, I do assure you, as well in her behaviour and wit,
as in her person, call her what you please. Why, my dear friend, said my
master, I must tell you, as I have said before now, that her person made
me her lover, but her mind made her my wife.
The first course coming in, my dear sir led me himself to my place; and
set Mr. Chambers, as the greatest stranger, at my right hand, and Mr.
Brooks at my left; and Mr. Arthur was pleased to observe, much to my
advantage, on the ease and freedom with which I behaved myself, and
helped them; and said, he would bring his lady to be a witness, and a
learner both, of my manners. I said, I should be proud of any honour
Mrs. Arthur would vouchsafe to do me; and if once I could promise myself
the opportunity of his good lady's example, and those of the other
gentlemen present, I should have the greater opinion of my worthiness to
sit in the place I filled at present with much insufficiency.
Mr. Arthur drank to my health and happiness, and said, My wife told your
spouse, madam, you had very good luck in such a husband; but I now
see who has the best of it. Said Mr. Brooks, Come, come, let's make no
compliments; for the plain truth of the matter is, our good neighbour's
generosity and judgment have met with so equal a match in his lady's
beauty and merit, that I know not which has the best luck. But may you
be both long happy together, say I! And so he drank a glass of wine.