My uncle, for whose character she
had a great veneration, being by this time come to town, I introduced him
to my bride; and, although he was not very much subject to refined
sensations, he was struck dumb with admiration at her beauty.
After having kissed and gazed at her for some time, he turned to
me, saying. "Odds bobs, Rory! a notable prize indeed, finely built
and gloriously rigged, i'faith! If she an't well manned when you
take the command of her, sirrah, you deserve to go to sea in a
cockle shell. No offence, I hope, niece! you must not mind what
I say, being (as the saying is) a plain seafaring man, thof mayhap
I have as much regard for you as another." She received him with
great civility, told him she had longed a great while to see a
person to whom she was so much indebted for his generosity to Mr.
Random; that she looked upon him as her uncle, by which name she
begged leave to call him for the future; and that she was very
sure he could say nothing that would give her the least offence.
The honest captain was transported at her courteous behaviour, and
insisted upon giving her away at the ceremony, swearing that he
loved her as well as if she was his own child, and that he would
give two thousand guineas to the first fruit of our love, as soon
as it would squeak.
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