ed by
music of different kinds, ranged under a great variety of flags and
ensigns; and the women, as well as the men, bedizened with fancy knots
and marriage favours. At the end of the avenue, a select bevy of comely
virgins arrayed in white, and a separate band of choice youths
distinguished by garlands of laurel and holly interweaved, fell into the
procession, and sung in chorus a rustic epithalamium composed by the
curate. At the gate they were received by the venerable housekeeper,
Mrs. Oakley, whose features were so brightened by the occasion, that with
the first glance she made a conquest of the heart of Captain Crowe; and
this connexion was improved afterwards into a legal conjunction.

Meanwhile the houses of Greavesbury Hall and Darnel Hill were set open
for the entertainment of all-comers, and both echoed with the sounds of
festivity. After the ceremony of giving and receiving visits had been
performed by Sir Launcelot Greaves and his lady, Mr. Clarke was honoured
with the hand of the agreeable Miss Dolly Greaves; and the captain was
put in possession of his paternal estate. The perfect and uninterrupted
felicity of the knight and his endearing consort, diffused itself through
the whole adjacent country, as far as their example and influence could
extend. They were admired, esteemed, and applauded by every person of
taste, sentiment, and benevolence; at the same time beloved, revered, and
almost adored by the common people, among whom they suffered not the
merciless hand of indigence or misery to seize one single sacrifice.

Ferret, at first, seemed to enjoy his easy circumstances; but the novelty
of this situation soon wore off, and all his misanthropy returned. He
could not bear to see his fellow-creatures happy around him, and
signified his disgust to Sir Launcelot, declaring his intention of
returning to the metropolis, where he knew there would be always food
sufficient for the ravenous appetite of his spleen. Before he departed,
the knight made him partake of his bounty, though he could not make him
taste of his happiness, which soon received a considerable addition in
the birth of a son, destined to be the heir and representative of two
worthy families, whose mutual animosity the union of his parents had so
happily extinguished.

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves
by Tobias Smollett

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR LAU