on of the duke of --, who though she would
not refuse to partake of such an agreeable entertainment, was displeased
that I should have the honour of inviting her. O baleful Envy! thou
self-tormenting fiend! how dost thou predominate in all assemblies, from
the grand gala of a court, to the meeting of simple peasants at their
harvest-home! Nor is the prevalence of this sordid passion to be
wondered at, if we consider the weakness, pride, and vanity of our sex.
The presence of one favourite man shall poison the enjoyment of a whole
company, and produce the most rancorous enmity betwixt the closest
friends.

"I danced with the master of the ball, who employed all the artillery of
his eloquence in making love; yet I did not listen to his addresses, for
he was not to my taste, though he possessed an agreeable person, and a
good acquired understanding; but he was utterly ignorant of that gentle
prevailing art which I afterwards experienced in Mr. S---, and which was
the only method he could have successfully practised in seducing a young
woman like me, born with sentiments of honour, and trained up in the
paths of religion and virtue. This young gentleman was indeed absolutely
master of those insinuating qualifications which few women of passion
and sensibility can resist; and had a person every way adapted for
profiting by these insidious talents. He was well acquainted with the
human heart, conscious of his own power and capacity, and exercised
these endowments with unwearied perseverance. He was tall and thin, of a
shape and size perfectly agreeable to my taste, with large blue eloquent
eyes, good teeth, and a long head turned to gallantry. His behaviour was
the standard of politeness, and all his advances were conducted with the
most profound respect; which is the most effectual expedient a man can
use against us, if he can find means to persuade us that it proceeds
from the excess and delicacy of his passion. It is no other than
a silent compliment, by which our accomplishments are continually
flattered and pleases in proportion to the supposed understanding of
him who pays it.

"By these arts and advantages this consummate politician in love
began by degrees to sap the foundation of my conjugal faith: he stole
imperceptibly into my affection, and by dint of opportunity, which he
well knew how to improve, triumphed at last over all his rivals.

"Nor was he the only person that disputed my heart with Earl C--. That
nob