The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

344 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
very coldly to the captain, and strove to fasten on the other’s heart,
with the hooks of over-strained civility.—These must be the
instinctive efforts of her constitution, rather than the effects of any
deliberate design; for matters are carried to such a length with the
lieutenant, that she could not retract with any regard to conscience
or reputation. Besides, she will meet with nothing but indifference
or aversion on the side of Baynard, who has too much sense to think
of such a partner at any time, and too much delicacy to admit a
thought of any such connexion at the present juncture—Mean-
while, I have prevailed upon her to let him have four thousand
pounds at four per cent. towards paying off his mortgage. Young
Dennison has agreed that Liddy’s fortune shall be appropriated
to the same purpose, on the same terms.—His father will sell out
three thousand pounds stock for his accommodation.—Farmer
Bland has, at the desire of Wilson, undertaken for two thousand;
and I must make an effort to advance what further will be required
to take my friend out of the hands of the Philistines. He is so
pleased with the improvements made on this estate, which is all
cultivated like a garden, that he has entered himself as a pupil in
farming to Mr. Dennison, and resolved to attach himself wholly
to the practice of husbandry.
Every thing is now prepared for our double wedding. The
marriage-articles for both couples are drawn and executed; and
the ceremony only waits until the parties shall have been resident
in the parish the term prescribed by law. Young Dennison betrays
some symptoms of impatience; but, Lismahago bears this neces-
sary delay with the temper of a philosopher.—You must know, the
captain does not stand altogether on the foundation of personal
merit. Besides his half-pay, amounting to two and forty pounds
a year, this indefatigable œconomist has amassed eight hundred
pounds, which he has secured in the funds. This sum arises partly
from his pay’s running up while he remained among the Indians;
partly from what he received as a consideration for the difference
between his full appointment and the half-pay, to which he is now
restricted; and partly from the profits of a little traffic he drove in
peltry, during his sachemship among the Miamis.
Liddy’s fears and perplexities have been much assuaged by the
company of one Miss Willis, who had been her intimate companion
at the boarding-school. Her parents had been earnestly solicited
to allow her making this friendly visit on such an extraordinary