Smollett, Tobias (1721-1777)

The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom

London

Printed for T. Johnson

1753

A man may cunningly cater for the gratification of a woman's ruling appetite and gain upon her heart making with rapidity conquest over the affections

We have already observed how cunningly he cattered for the gratification of her ruling appetite, and have exhibited pregnant proofs of his ability in gaining upon the human heart; the reader will not therefore be surprized at the rapidity of his conquest over the affections of a lady whose complexion was perfectly amorous, and whose vanity laid her open to all the attempts of adulation. In a word, matters were quickly brought to such a mutual understanding, that one evening, while they amused themselves at lansquenet, Fathom conjured her to give him the rendezvous next day, at the house of any third person of her own sex, in whose discretion she could confide; and after a few affected scruples on her side, which he well knew how to surmount, she complied with his request, and the circumstances of the appointment were settled accordingly. After this treaty, their satisfaction rose to such a warmth, and the conversation became so reciprocally endearing, that our gallant expressed his impatience of waiting so long for the accomplishment of his wishes; and with the most eager transport, begged she would, if possible, curtail the term of his expectation, that his brain might not suffer by his standing so many tedious hours on the giddy verge of rapture.
(pp. 79-80)

War::Conquest::Conquer Affections

Searching "conque" and "heart" in HDIS (Prose)

14 entries in ESTC (1753, 1760, 1771, 1772, 1780, 1782, 1784, 1786, 1789, 1792, 1795, 1796).

Smollett, Tobias. The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom. By the Author of Roderick Random. (London: printed for T. Johnson, 1753).

01/20/2005