The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

284 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
a word, what betwixt the mediation of Mrs. Tabitha, the recol-
lection of the captain, who perceived he had gone too far, and the
remonstrances of your humble servant, who joined them at this
juncture, those two originals were perfectly reconciled; and then
we proceeded to deliberate upon the means of taking vengeance
for the insults they had received from the petulant peer; for, until
that aim should be accomplished, Mr. Bramble swore, with great
emphasis, that he would not leave the inn where we now lodged,
even if he should pass his Christmas on the spot.
In consequence of our deliberations, we next day, in the fore-
noon, proceeded in a body to his lordship’s house, all of us, with
our servants, including the coachman, mounted a-horseback, with
our pistols loaded and ready primed.—Thus prepared for action,
we paraded solemnly and slowly before his lordship’s gate, which
we passed three times in such a manner, that he could not but see
us, and suspect the cause of our appearance.—After dinner we
returned, and performed the same calvalcade, which was again
repeated the morning following; but we had no occasion to persist
in these manœuvres.—About noon, we were visited by the gentle-
man, at whose house we had first seen lord Oxmington.—He now
came to make apologies in the name of his lordship, who declared
he had no intention to give offence to my uncle, in practising what
had been always the custom of his house; and that as for the
indignities which had been put upon the officer, they were offered
without his lordship’s knowledge, at the instigation of his valet de
chambre.—‘If that be the case, (said my uncle, in a peremptory
tone) I shall be contented with lord Oxmington’s personal excuses;
and I hope my friend will be satisfied with his lordship’s turning
that insolent rascal out of his service.’ ‘Sir, (cried Lismahago),
I must insist upon taking personal vengeance for the personal
injuries I have sustained.’
After some debate, the affair was adjusted in this manner.—His
lordship, meeting us at our friend’s house, declared he was sorry
for what had happened; and that he had no intention to give
umbrage.—The valet de chambre asked pardon of the lieutenant
upon his knees, when Lismahago, to the astonishment of all pre-
sent, gave him a violent kick on the face, which laid him on his
back, exclaiming in a furious tone, ‘Oui je te pardonne, gens
foutre.’
Such was the fortunate issue of this perilous adventure, which