The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

I call all the powers of time and chance, which severally check us in our careers in this world, to bear me witness, that I could never yet get fairly to my uncle Toby's amours, till this very moment, that my mother's curiosity, as she stated the affair, -- -- -or a different impulse in her, as my father would have it -- -- -wished her to take a peep at them through the keyhole.

"Call it, my dear, by its right name, quoth my father, and look through the keyhole as long as you will."