The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 341
returning to the scene we had quitted—You will perceive it would
have been very absurd for me to argue with a man that talked so
madly.—On all such occasions, the first torrent of passion must be
allowed to subside gradually.—I endeavoured to beguile his atten-
tion by starting little hints and insinuating other objects of dis-
course imperceptibly; and being exceedingly pleased in my own
mind at this event, I exerted myself with such an extraordinary
flow of spirits as was attended with success.—In a few hours, he
was calm enough to hear reason, and even to own that Heaven could
not have interposed more effectually to rescue him from disgrace
and ruin.—That he might not, however, relapse into weaknesses
for want of company, I passed the night in his chamber, in a little
tent bed brought thither on purpose; and well it was I took this
precaution, for he started up in bed several times, and would have
played the fool, if I had not been present.
Next day he was in a condition to talk of business, and vested
me with full authority over his household, which I began to exercise
without loss of time, tho’ not before he knew and approved of the
scheme I had projected for his advantage.—He would have quitted
the house immediately; but this retreat I opposed.—Far from
encouraging a temporary disgust, which might degenerate into an
habitual aversion, I resolved, if possible, to attach him more than
ever to his Household Gods.—I gave directions for the funeral to
be as private as was consistent with decency; I wrote to London,
that an inventory and estimate might be made of the furniture and
effects in his town-house, and gave notice to the landlord, that Mr.
Baynard should quit the premises at Lady-day; I set a person at
work to take account of every thing in the country-house, including
horses, carriages, and harness; I settled the young gentleman at a
boarding-school, kept by a clergyman in the neighbourhood, and
thither he went without reluctance, as soon as he knew that he was
to be troubled no more with his tutor, whom we dismissed.—The
aunt continued very sullen, and never appeared at table, though
Mr. Baynard paid his respects to her every day in her own cham-
ber; there also she held conferences with the waiting-women and
other servants of the family: but, the moment her niece was
interred, she went away in a post-chaise prepared for that purpose:
she did not leave the house, however, without giving Mr. Baynard
to understand, that the wardrobe of her niece was the perquisite
of her woman; accordingly that worthless drab received all the