had marked out your grace for a conquest,--I mean in
an honourable way; though the rascal has impudence enough to attempt
anything."

So saying, he fixed his eyes upon the duchess, who, while her face
glowed with indignation, turning to her confidant, expressed herself in
these words: "Upon my life! I believe there is actually some truth in
what this old ruffian says; I have myself observed that young fellow
eyeing me with a very particular stare."--"It is not to be at all
wondered at," said her friend, "that a youth of his complexion should
be sensible to the charms of your grace! but I dare say he would
not presume to entertain any but the most honourable and respectful
sentiments."--"Respectful sentiments!" cried my lady, with a look of
ineffable disdain; "if I thought the fellow had assurance enough to
think of me in any shape, I protest I would forbid him my house. Upon my
honour, such instances of audacity should induce persons of quality to
keep your small gentry at a greater distance; for they are very apt to
grow impudent, upon the least countenance or encouragement."

Cadwallader, satisfied with this declaration, changed the subject of
discourse, and next day communicated his discovery to his friend Pickle,
who upon this occasion felt the most stinging sensations of mortified
pride, and resolved to quit his prospect with a good grace. Nor did the
execution of this self-denying scheme cost him one moment's uneasiness;
for his heart had never been interested in the pursuit, and his vanity
triumphed in the thoughts of manifesting his indifference. Accordingly,
the very next time he visited her grace, his behaviour was remarkably
frank, sprightly and disengaged; and the subject of love being
artfully introduced by the widow, who had been directed to sound his
inclinations, he rallied the passion with great ease and severity and
made no scruple of declaring himself heart-whole. Though the duchess
had resented his supposed affection, she was now offended at his
insensibility, and even signified her disgust, by observing, that
perhaps his attention to his own qualifications screened him from the
impression of all other objects.

While he enjoyed this sarcasm, the meaning of which he could plainly
discern, the company was joined by a certain virtuoso, who had gained
free access to all the great families of the land, by his noble talent
of gossiping and buffoonery. He was now in the seventy-fifth year of his
age; hi