ation of the family name. Nay, so disinterested was she in this
pursuit, that, postponing her nearest concern, or at least leaving her
own fate to the silent operation of her charms, she laboured with such
indefatigable zeal in behalf of her brother, that before they had been
three months settled in the country, the general topic of conversation
in the neighbourhood was an intended match between the rich Mr. Pickle
and the fair Miss Appleby, daughter of a gentleman who lived in the
next parish, and who though he had but little fortune to bestow upon his
children, had, to use his own phrase, replenished their veins with some
of the best blood in the country.

This young lady, whose character and disposition Mrs. Grizzle had
investigated to her own satisfaction, was destined for the spouse of
Mr. Pickle; and an overture accordingly made to her father, who, being
overjoyed at the proposal, gave his consent without hesitation, and even
recommended the immediate execution of the project with such eagerness,
as seemed to indicate either a suspicion of Mr. Pickle's constancy, or
a diffidence of his own daughter's complexion, which perhaps he thought
too sanguine to keep much longer cool. The previous point being thus
settled, our merchant, at the instigation of Mrs. Grizzle, went to visit
his future father-in-law, and was introduced to the daughter, with whom
he had, that same afternoon, an opportunity of being alone. What passed
in that interview I never could learn, though from the character of the
suitor, the reader may justly conclude that she was not much teased
with the impertinence of his addresses. He was not, I believe, the less
welcome for that reason: certain it is she made no objection to his
taciturnity; and when her father communicated his resolution, acquiesced
with the most pious resignation. But Mrs. Grizzle, in order to give
the lady a more favourable idea of his intellects than his conversation
could possibly inspire, resolved to dictate a letter, which her brother
should transcribe and transmit to his mistress as the produce of his own
understanding, and had actually composed a very tender billet for
this purpose; yet her intention was entirely frustrated by the
misapprehension of the lover himself, who, in consequence of his
sister's repeated admonitions, anticipated her scheme, by writing, for
himself, and despatching the letter one afternoon, while Mrs. Grizzle
was visiting at the parson's.

Neither was