[ 219 ]
all other Circumstances agreeing, they were at last married; while the Matrimony was depending, he happened to be talking with another Gentleman, who was his Intimate, and who knew the Lady; and he was congratulating himself, if I may be allowed such an Expression, upon the good Prospect of his Affairs, and the Felicity which he promised himself in his Match; the Fortune, the Wit, the Beauty, the good Humour of the Lady he was Courting; to all which the other Gentleman gave the Assent of his own Opinion, from a long Acquaintance in the Lady's Family, and with her Person.
But, after all, says the Gentleman who courted this Lady, there's one main Thing remains which I cannot come at; and upon which almost all the rest depends.
What can that be, says the other Gentleman; I think there's nothing in the Lady but what may make any Gentleman happy.
Why, says the first Gentleman, I cannot learn any thing of her Temper.
O, says the other, she is of a very good Temper.
Ay, says the first, when she is Pleas'd, so, they say, is somebody else; but I want to see her Angry. Pray, did you ever see her Angry?
Yes, I have seen her Angry too, says his Friend.
Well, and how was she then, says he. Is she a furious little Devil when she's provoked?
Nay, says his Friend, that's according as the Provocation is. Every Body is subject to Provocation, and all People have Passions.
Ay,
