Didactic fiction; Domestic fiction; England -- Fiction; Married women -- Fiction
Booth, who had long recognized the features of his old acquaintance
Major Bath, returned the compliment with a very low bow; but did not
venture to make the first advance to familiarity, as he was truly
possessed of that quality which the Greeks considered in the highest
light of honour, and which we term modesty; though indeed, neither
ours nor the Latin language hath any word adequate to the idea of the
original.
The colonel, after having discharged himself of two or three articles of
news, and made his comments upon them, when the next chair to him
became vacant, called upon Booth to fill it. He then asked him several
questions relating to his affairs; and, when he heard he was out of the
army, advised him earnestly to use all means to get in again, saying
that he was a pretty lad, and they must not lose him.
Booth told him in a whisper that he had a great deal to say to him on
that subject if they were in a more private place; upon this the colonel
proposed a walk in the Park, which the other readily accepted.
During their walk Booth opened his heart, and, among other matters,
acquainted Colonel Bath that he feared he had lost the friendship of
Colonel James; “though I am not,” said he, “conscious of having done the
least thing to deserve it.”
Bath answered, “You are certainly mistaken, Mr. Booth. I have indeed
scarce seen my brother since my coming to town; for I have been here but
two days; however, I am convinced he is a man of too nice honour to
do anything inconsistent with the true dignity of a gentleman.”
Booth answered, “He was far from accusing him of anything
dishonourable.”--“D--n me,” said Bath, “if there is a man alive can or
dare accuse him: if you have the least reason to take anything ill, why
don’t you go to him? you are a gentleman, and his rank doth not protect
him from giving you satisfaction.” “The affair is not of any such kind,”
says Booth; “I have great obligations to the colonel, and have more
reason to lament than complain; and, if I could but see him, I am
convinced I should have no cause for either; but I cannot get within his
house; it was but an hour ago a servant of his turned me rudely from the
door.” “Did a servant of my brother use you rudely?” said the colonel,
with the utmost gravity. “I do not know, sir, in what light you see
such things; but, to me, the affront of a servant is the affront of the
master; and if he doth not immediately punish it, by all the dignity of
a man, I would see the master’s nose between my fingers.” Booth offered
to explain, but to no purpose; the colonel was got into his stilts; and
it was impossible to take him down, nay, it was as much as Booth could
possibly do to part with him without an actual quarrel; nor would he,
perhaps, have been able to have accomplished it, had not the colonel by
accident turned at last to take Booth’s side of the question; and before
they separated he swore many oaths that James should give him proper
satisfaction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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