"Conscious of the pains I had been at to please him, I was so incensed
at these unjust invectives, that, starting up, I told him he was
a little dirty fellow; and would have left the house immediately,
had not his lawyer, and others, who were in the room, interposed,
and by dint of argument and importunity diverted me from my purpose.
By the bye, I have been informed by a person of rank, that my lord
discovered exactly the same disposition in his father's lifetime,
and only changed the subject of his complaint from the word father
to that of wife. Indeed, he takes all opportunities of plaguing my
dear parent, as he has just sagacity enough to know, that this is
the most effectual way he can take to distress me.
"After repeated trials, I have given up all hopes of making him
happy, or of finding myself easy in my situation, and live with him
at present to avoid a greater inconvenience. Not that his ill-nature
is all the grievance of which I complain; exclusive of the personal
disgust I entertain for him, his folly is of that species which
disobliges rather than diverts, and his vanity and affectation
altogether intolerable; for he actually believes himself, or at
least would impose himself upon mankind, as a pattern of gallantry
and taste; and, in point of business.
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