in the sequel. It was not long before some officious person informed
my grandfather of certain familiarities that passed between his son
and housekeeper which alarmed him so much that, a few days after,
he told my father it was high time for him to think of settling; and
that he had provided a match for him, to which he could in justice
have no objections. My father, finding it would be impossible to
conceal his situation much longer, frankly owned what he had done;
and excused himself for not having asked the consent of his father,
by saying, he knew it would have. been to no Purpose; and that, had
his inclination been known, my grandfather might have taken such
measures as would have effectually put the gratification of it out
of his power: he added, that no exceptions could be taken to his
wife's virtue, birth, beauty, and good sense, and as for fortune,
it was beneath his care. The old gentleman, who kept all his
passions, except one, in excellent order, heard him to an end with
great temper, and then calmly asked, how he proposed to maintain
himself and spouse? He replied, he could be in no danger of wanting
while his father's tenderness remained, which he and his wife should
always cultivate with the utmost veneration; and he was persuaded
his allowance would be suitable to the dignity and circumstances
of his family, and to the provision already made for his brothers
and sisters, who were happily settled under his protection. "Your
brothers and sisters," said my grandfather, "did not think it beneath
them to consult me in an affair of such importance as matrimony;
neither, I suppose, would you have omitted that piece of duty,
had you not some secret fund in reserve; to the comforts of which
I leave you, with a desire that you will this night seek out another
habitation for yourself and wife, whither, in a short time, I will
send you an account of the ex pens I have been at in your education,
with a view of being reimbursed. Sir, you have made the grand