But, they say, he is remarkable
for shrinking from his former friendships, which were generally
too plain and home-spun to appear amidst his present brilliant
connexions; and that he seems uneasy at sight of some old
benefactors, whom a man of honour would take pleasure to
acknowledge -- Be that as it may, he had so effectually engaged the
company at Bath, that when I went with my uncle to the
coffeehouse in the evening, there was not a soul in the room but
one person, seemingly in years, who sat by the fire, reading one
of the papers. Mr Bramble, taking his station close by him,
'There is such a crowd and confusion of chairs in the passage to
Simpson's (said he) that we could hardly get along -- I wish those
minions of fortune would fall upon more laudable ways of spending
their money. -- I suppose, Sir, you like this kind of entertainment
as little as I do?' 'I cannot say I have any great relish for
such entertainments,' answered the other, without taking his eyes
off the paper -- 'Mr Serle (resumed my uncle) I beg pardon for
interrupting you; but I can't resist the curiosity I have to know
if you received a card on this occasion?'
The man seemed surprised at this address, and made some pause, as
doubtful what answer he should make.
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