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Allurement of good Circumstances, and the over-ruling Directions of their immediate Governors and Friends; when, on both Sides, their Choice and Affections were guided, at least against the respective Object, if not to other Objects; and though perhaps those other Objects were not indeed so suitable as to Birth and Fortune, for this Breach happened in a Family of some Figure, and among that we call Quality, yet the Choice they had made for themselves had certainly been more suitable to them as Man and Woman, and had tended infinitely more to their satisfaction.
It seems they had had frequently Rufflings and Rencounters, as they might be called, upon the Subject before; and as they went upon an old Mob Rule, That few Words among Friends were best, and those very spiteful; so if they did fall out, it was short, but bitter, and this Battle, which I happened to have the following Account of, and which was one of the worst they ever had, may pass for a Specimen:
It happened to be at Supper, and the Gentleman had drank to his Lady with a kind of a snear and a bow, and My Service to your Ladyship (for she was a Lady). Ay, ay, says she, Service! Service! repeating the Word two or three times; it's well where there is no Love there can be a little good Manners; and so the Battle was begun.
Knight.Love! Love! nay, the D. . .l take your Ladyship, you know I never lov'd you in my life.
Lady.Nay, I was pretty even with Sir Thomas, for I hated you heartily from the first Hour I saw you.
Knight.
