It was like the momentary contest in the moist eye-lids of an _April_ morning, "Whether _Bridget_ should laugh or cry."
She snatched up a rolling-pin----'twas ten to one, she had laugh'd----
She laid it down----she cried; and had one single tear of 'em but tasted of bitterness, full sorrowful would the corporal's heart have been that he had used the argument; but the corporal understood the sex, a _quart major to a terce_ at least, better than my uncle _Toby_, and accordingly he assailed Mrs. _Bridget_ after this manner.
I know, Mrs. _Bridget_, said the corporal, giving her a most respectful kiss, that thou art good and modest by nature, and art withal so generous a girl in thyself, that, if I know thee rightly, thou would'st not wound an insect, much less the honour of so gallant and worthy a soul as my master, wast thou sure to be made a countess of----but thou hast been set on, and deluded, dear _Bridget_, as is often a woman's case, "to please others more than themselves----"
_Bridget's_ eyes poured down at the sensations the corporal excited.
----Tell me----tell me, then, my dear _Bridget_, continued the corporal, taking hold of her hand, which hung down dead by her side, ----and, giving a second kiss----whose suspicion has misled thee?
_Bridget_ sobb'd a sob or two----then open'd her eyes----the corporal wiped 'em with the bottom of her apron----she then open'd her heart and told him all.
Bridget did not know whether to laugh or cry.
She snatched up a rolling-pin - 'twas ten to one, she had laughed - She laid it down - she cried; and had one single tear tasted of bitterness, full sorrowful would the corporal's heart have been; but he understood the sex better than my uncle Toby at least, and so he assailed Mrs. Bridget after this manner.
'I know, Mrs. Bridget,' said he, giving her a most respectful kiss, 'that thou art good and modest by nature, and art so generous a girl that thou would'st not wound an insect, much less the honour of so gallant a soul as my master - but thou hast been deluded, dear Bridget, as is often a woman's case, "to please others more than themselves."'
Bridget's eyes poured down at the sensations the corporal excited.
'Tell me, then, my dear Bridget,' continued the corporal, taking hold of her hand, and giving a second kiss - 'whose suspicion has misled thee?'
Bridget sobbed a sob or two - then opened her eyes - the corporal wiped 'em with her apron - she then opened her heart and told him all.
Book 9 - Chapter 29