"
"If he connived at my conduct in this particular, why should he
disapprove of it when all I asked was but common justice? But he
was a dependant; and therefore I excuse his phlegmatic, not to call
it unfriendly, behaviour. Indeed, he could not be too cautious of
giving offence to his lordship, who sometimes made him feel the
effects of that wrath which other people had kindled; particularly
in consequence of a small adventure which happened about this very
period of time.
"A very agreeable, sprightly, good-natured young man, a near relation
of my lord, happening to be at our house one evening, when there
was a fire in the neighbourhood, we agreed to go and sup at the
tavern en famille; and, having spent the evening with great mirth
and good-humour, this young gentleman, who was naturally facetious,
in taking his leave, saluted us all round. My lord, who had before
entertained some jealousy of his kinsman, was very much provoked by
this trifling incident, but very prudently suppressed his displeasure
till he returned to his own house, where his rage co-operating
with the champagne he had drunk, inflamed him to such a degree of
resolution, that he sprang upon the innocent G--, and collared him
with great fury, though he was altogether unconcerned in the cause
of his indignation.
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