e person of Mrs. Grizzle.

Pleased with this conjecture, he rallied jack in his turn, and one night
toasted her health as a compliment to his passion--a circumstance which
the lady learned next day by the usual canal of her intelligence;
and interpreting as the result of his own tenderness for her, she
congratulated herself on the victory she had obtained; and thinking
it unnecessary to continue the reserve she had hitherto industriously
affected, resolved from that day to sweeten her behaviour towards him
with such a dash of affection as could not fail to persuade him that
he had inspired her with a reciprocal flame. In consequence of this
determination, he was invited to dinner, and while he stayed treated
with such cloying proofs of her regard, that not only the rest of the
company, but even Trunnion perceived her drift; and taking the alarm
accordingly, could not help exclaiming, "Oho! I see how the land lies,
and if I don't weather the point, I'll be d--d." Having thus expressed
himself to his afflicted inamorata, he made the best of his way to the
garrison, in which he shut himself up for the space of ten days, and had
no communication with his friends and domestics but by looks, which were
most significantly picturesque.

CHAPTER VII.

Divers Stratagems are invented and put in practice, in order to overcome
the obstinacy of Trunnion, who, at length, is teased and tortured into
the Noose of Wedlock.

This abrupt departure and unkind declaration affected Mrs. Grizzle so
much, that she fell sick of sorrow and mortification; and after having
confined herself to her bed for three days, sent for her brother, told
him she perceived her end drawing near, and desired that a lawyer might
be brought, in order to write her last will. Mr. Pickle, surprised at
her demand, began to act the part of a comforter, assuring her that her
distemper was not at all dangerous, and that he would instantly send
for a physician, who would convince her that she was in no manner
of jeopardy; so that there was no occasion at present to employ any
officious attorney in such a melancholy task. Indeed, this affectionate
brother was of opinion that a will was altogether superfluous at any
rate, as he himself was heir-in-law to his sister's whole real and
personal estate. But she insisted on his compliance with such determined
obstinacy, that he could no longer resist her importunities; and, a
arriving, she dictated and executed her w