many years ago.

The bridegroom, however, likening him unto an old coachman who still
delights in the smack of the whip, and dropping some flattering hints
of his manhood, even at these years, he was gradually prevailed upon to
accompany them to the place of rendezvous; where, being ushered into a
dining-room, they had not waited three minutes, when they were joined by
the parson, who had observed the hour with great punctuality.

This gentleman no sooner entered the room, than Cadwallader, in a
whisper to Gauntlet, asked if that was not the cock-b--d; and, before
the captain could make any reply, "What an unconscionable w-- master the
rogue is!" said he, "scarce discharged from confinement, and sweetened
with a little fresh air, when he wenches with a pimp in canonicals in
his pay." The door again opened, and Emilia broke in upon them,
with such dignity of mien, and divinity of aspect, as inspired every
spectator with astonishment and admiration. The lieutenant, who had not
seen her since her charms were ripened into such perfection, expressed
his wonder and approbation in an exclamation of "Add's zooks! what
a glorious galley!" and the misanthrope's visage was instantly
metamorphosed into the face of a mountain goat. He licked his lips
instinctively, snuffed the air, and squinted with a most horrible
obliquity of vision.

The bride and her sister being seated, and Hatchway having renewed
his acquaintance with the former, who recognized him with particular
civility, Peregrine withdrew into another apartment with his friend
Crabtree, to whom he imparted the design of his meeting; which the
latter no sooner understood, than he attempted to retreat, without
making any other reply than that of "Pshaw! rot your matrimony! can't
you put your neck in the noose, without my being a witness of your
folly?"

The young gentleman, in order to vanquish this aversion, stepped to the
door of the next room, and begged the favour of speaking with Emilia,
to whom he introduced the testy old bachelor as one of his particular
friends, who desired to have the honour of giving her away. The
bewitching smile with which she received his salute, and granted his
request, at once overcame the disapprobation of the misanthrope, who,
with a relaxation in his countenance, which had never been perceived
before that instant, thanked her in the most polite terms for such
an agreeable mark of distinction. He accordingly led her to the
dining-room,