The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

My uncle Toby's head at that time was full of other matters, so that it was not till the demolition of Dunkirk, when all the other civilities of Europe were settled, that he found leisure to return this.

This made an armistice (that is, speaking with regard to my uncle Toby -- but with respect to Mrs. Wadman, a vacancy) -- of almost eleven years. But in all cases of this nature, as it is the second blow, happen at what distance of time it will, which makes the fray -- -- -I choose for that reason to call these the amours of my uncle Toby with Mrs. Wadman, rather than the amours of Mrs. Wadman with my uncle Toby.