Page:History of Whittington and his cat (3).pdf/18

18 the creature knew them all, rubbed her head against her master's face, twirled herself round Mr. Fitzwarren's legs, looked up at Mrs. Fitzwarren, and purred; and jumping up into Miss Fitzwarren's lap, composed herself, and seemed to feel herself perfectly at home. But on her master's retiring to dress, she eagerly followed him; and such was the pleasure her return gave him, that he forgot his wealth whilst he caressed her, and promised her he would never part with her more to the end of her or his life.

Mr. Fitzwarren told his wife and the captain that, in the first knowledge of Whittington's amazing good fortune, he did not dare to oppose either his humour or his wishes, lest all thetho [sic] circumstances of his new condition should be too much for him to bear; but so soon as his mind recovered its firmness, he would duly regulate matters between them. He spoke highly of the merits of both his head and his heart, and said he would pledge himself for his doing honour to himself, his country, and mankind, by rendering his wealth a blessing to multitudes: "For," continued this gentleman, "it is evident to me, the poor worthy fellow will perform all the different parts assigned him by Providence, on the great stage of human life, with first rate claims to applause; and that, however humble his entrance, his exit will be glorious.

Whittington soon rejoined them, dressed in his Sunday's clothes, and a very smart well-looking youth he became, with little advantage from his wardrobe; made his very best bow with a very good grace; took his seat, (happy, happy creature, as his countenance bespoke him,) between his master and mistress; being not only invited, but kindly commanded so to do, with his old friend, Mrs. Puss, purring at his feet; and dinner being served up, except a blush or two of grateful diffidence and modest sensibility, proved by his whole behaviour, he was at length got into his real, right place.

The next thing to this establishment of his happiness, his great concern was to reward every person that had been indulgent or serviceable to him; not forgetting the waggoner who brought him to London; or even the Cook herself, whoso very unkindness to him, he said, had wrought out his good fortune: for, had she not lodged him in the loft, he had never bought his cat. And what obligations must he then be under to his young lady, who was particularly and immediately the cause of his sending her abroad! The cook, however, was never able to behold him, from the ill treatment she had given him, without confusion of both heart and face; though he cheerfully and repeatedly desired her to cease to remember what he had forgot, and to look upon him henceforward only as a friend.