He did not alter the style of his establishment, which consisted, as before, of herself and a small person who acted as scourer, kitchen-wench, and scullion; Mrs.Catherine always putting her hand to the principal pieces of the dinner; but he treated his mistress with tolerable good-humour; or, to speak more correctly, with such bearable brutality as might be expected from a man like him to a woman in her condition.

Besides, a certain event was about to take place, which not unusually occurs in circumstances of this nature, and Mrs.Catherine was expecting soon to lie in.
The Captain, distrusting naturally the strength of his own paternal feelings, had kindly endeavoured to provide a parent for the coming infant; and to this end had opened a negotiation with our friend Mr.
Thomas Bullock, declaring that Mrs.Cat should have a fortune of twenty guineas, and reminding Tummas of his ancient flame for her: but Mr.
Tummas, when this proposition was made to him, declined it, with many oaths, and vowed that he was perfectly satisfied with his present bachelor condition.

In this dilemma, Mr.Brock stepped forward, who declared himself very ready to accept Mrs.Catherine and her fortune: and might possibly have become the possessor of both, had not Mrs.Cat, the moment she heard of the proposed arrangement, with fire in her eyes, and rage--oh, how bitter!--in her heart, prevented the success of the measure by proceeding incontinently to the first justice of the peace, and there swearing before his worship who was the father of the coming child.
This proceeding, which she had expected would cause not a little indignation on the part of her lord and master, was received by him, strangely enough, with considerable good-humour: he swore that the wench had served him a good trick, and was rather amused at the anger, the outbreak of fierce rage and contumely, and the wretched wretched tears of heartsick desperation, which followed her announcement of this step to him.

For Mr.Brock, she repelled his offer with scorn and loathing, and treated the notion of a union with Mr.Bullock with yet fiercer contempt.

Marry him indeed! a workhouse pauper carrying a brown-bess! She would have died sooner, she said, or robbed on the highway.