Running out in the hurry
and perturbation of her hope, she was so much overwhelmed at sight
of her brother, that she actually fainted in his arms. But from
this trance she soon awaked; and Peregrine, having testified his
pleasure and affection, went upstairs, and presented himself before
his godfather and aunt. Mrs. Trunnion rose and received him with
a gracious embrace, blessing God for his happy return from a land
of impiety and vice, in which she hoped his morals had not been
corrupted, nor his principles of religion altered or impaired. The
old gentleman being confined to his chair, was struck dumb with
pleasure at his appearance; and, having made divers ineffectual
efforts to get up, at length discharged a volley of curses against
his own limbs, and held out his hand to his godson, who kissed it
with great respect.
After he had finished his apostrophe to the gout, which was the
daily and hourly subject of his execrations, "Well, my lad," said
he, "I care not how soon I go to the bottom, now I behold thee safe
in harbour again; and yet I tell a d--d lie; I would I could keep
afloat until I should see a lusty boy of thy begetting.
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