My uncle, who is really a Don
Quixote in generosity, understanding that Lismahago's real reason
for leaving Scotland was the impossibility of subsisting in it
with any decency upon the wretched provision of a subaltern's
half-pay, began to be warmly interested on the side of
compassion. -- He thought it very hard, that a gentleman who had
served his country with honour, should be driven by necessity to
spend his old age, among the refuse of mankind, in such a remote
part of the world. -- He discoursed with me upon the subject;
observing, that he would willingly offer the lieutenant an asylum
at Brambleton-hall, if he did not foresee that his singularities
and humour of contradiction would render him an intolerable
housemate, though his conversation at some times might be both
instructive and entertaining: but, as there seemed to be
something particular in his attention to Mrs Tabitha, he and I
agreed in opinion, that this intercourse should be encouraged and
improved, if possible, into a matrimonial union; in which case
there would be a comfortable provision for both; and they might
be settled in a house of their own, so that Mr Bramble should
have no more of their company than he desired.
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