erstand it, delighted him highly;
and, telling him your choice spirits at Paris never troubled themselves
with glasses, asked if he had not a bowl or cup in the house that would
contain a whole quart of wine. "Odds niggers!" cried he, "I have a
silver candle cup that holds just the quantity, for all the world; fetch
it hither, Numps." The vessel being produced, I bade him decant his
bottle into it, which he having done, I nodded in a very deliberate
manner, and said, "Pledge you." He stared at me for some time, and
crying, "What! all at one pull, Measter Randan?" I answered, "At one
pull, Sir, you are no milk-sop--we shall do you justice." "Shall you?"
said he, shaking me by the hand; "odds then, I'll see it out, an't
were a mile to the bottom: here's to our better acquaintance, measter
Randan," So saying, he applied it to his lips, and emptied it in a
breath. I knew the effect of it would be almost instantaneous; therefore
taking the cup, began to discharge my bottle into it, telling him he
was now qualified to drink with the Cham of Tartary. I had no sooner
pronounced these words than he took umbrage at them, and after several
attempts to spit, made shift to stutter, "A f--t for your Chams of
T--Tartary! I am a f--f--freeborn Englishman, worth th--three thousand
a-year, and v--value no man, d--me." Then, dropping his jaw, and fixing
his eyes, he hiccuped aloud, and fell upon the floor as mute as n
flounder. Mr. Freeman, heartily glad at his defeat, assisted me in
carrying him to bed, where we left him to the care of his servants, and
went home to our respective habitations, congratulating each other on
our good fortune.

CHAPTER LVII

Miss Williams informs me of Narcissa's Approbation of my Flame--I
appease the Squire--write to my Mistress--am blessed with an Answer--beg
Leave of her Brother to dance with her at a Ball--obtain his Consent
and hers--enjoy a private Conversation with her--am perplexed with
Reflections--have the Honour of appearing her Partner at a Ball--we
are complimented by a certain Nobleman--he discovers some Symptoms of
a Passion for Narcissa--I am stung with Jealousy--Narcissa, alarmed,
retires--I observe Melinda in the company--the Squire is captivated by
her Beauty

I was met next morning at the usual place by Miss Williams, who gave
me joy of the progress I had made in the affection of her mistress, and
blessed me with an account of that dear creature's conversation with
her, after