The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

The world is ashamed of being virtuous -- -- -My uncle Toby knew little of the world; and therefore when he felt he was in love with widow Wadman, he had no conception that the thing was any more to be made a mystery of, than if Mrs. Wadman had given him a cut with a gap'd knife across his finger: Had it been otherwise -- -- -yet as he ever look'd upon Trim as a humble friend; and saw fresh reasons every day of his life, to treat him as such -- -- -it would have made no variation in the manner in which he informed him of the affair.

"I am in love, corporal! " quoth my uncle Toby.