Let me alone; I will tell you, if you was
a king, and insulted me as you have done, that you have forgotten to
act like a gentleman; and I won't stay to be used thus: I will go to the
next farmer's, and there wait for Mrs. Jervis, if she must go: and I'd
have you know, sir, that I can stoop to the ordinariest work of your
scullions, for all these nasty soft hands, sooner than bear such
ungentlemanly imputations.

I sent for you, said he, in high good humour; but it is impossible to
hold it with such an impertinent: however, I'll keep my temper. But
while I see you here, pray don't put on those dismal grave looks: Why,
girl, you should forbear them, if it were but for your pride-sake; for
the family will think you are grieving to leave the house. Then, sir,
said I, I will try to convince them of the contrary, as well as your
honour; for I will endeavour to be more cheerful while I stay, for that
very reason.

Well, replied he, I will set this down by itself, as the first time that
ever what I had advised had any weight with you. And I will add, said
I, as the first advice you have given me of late, that was fit to be
followed.--I wish said he, (I am almost ashamed to write it, impudent
gentleman as he is!) I wish I had thee as quick another way, as thou art
in thy repartees--And he laughed, and I snatched my hand from him, and I
tripped away as fast as I could. Ah! thought I, married? I am sure it is
time you were married, or, at this rate, no honest maiden ought to live
with you.

Why, dear father and mother, to be sure he grows quite a rake! How easy
it is to go from bad to worse, when once people give way to vice!

How would my poor lady, had she lived, have grieved to see it! but may
be he would have been better then! Though it seems he told Mrs. Jervis,
he had an eye upon me in his mother's life-time; and he intended to let
me know as much, by the bye, he told her! Here is shamelessness for you!
Sure the world must be near at an end! for all the gentlemen about are
as bad as he almost, as far as I can hear!--And see the fruits of
such bad examples! There is 'Squire Martin in the grove, has had three
lyings-in, it seems, in his house, in three months past; one by himself;
and one by his coachman; and one by his woodman; and yet he has turned
none of them away. Indeed, how can he, when they but follow his own vile
example? There is he, and two or three more such as he, within ten miles
of us, who keep company, an