xperience; but,
conscious of my own integrity, I set slander at defiance, trusting to my
own behaviour, and his natural probity, for the continuance of his love.
Though we did not live together in the same house, the greatest part of
our time was spent in each other's company; we dined and supped at the
same table, frequented public places, went upon parties to the country,
and never parted, but for a few hours in the night, which we passed in
the utmost impatience to meet again.

"In this agreeable manner did the days roll on, when my felicity was
interrupted by a fit of jealousy with which I happened to be seized. I
had contracted an acquaintance with a young married lady, who, though
her personal attractions were but slender, was upon the whole an
agreeable, cheerful, good-natured companion, with a little dash of
the coquette in her composition. This woman being in very indigent
circumstances, occasioned by some losses her husband had sustained, no
sooner had an opportunity of seeing and conversing with my lover,
than she formed the design of making a conquest of him. I should have
forgiven her for this scheme, whatever pangs it might have cost me, had
I believed it the effect of real passion; but I knew her too well to
suppose her heart was susceptible of love, and accordingly resented it.
In the execution of her plan, she neglected nothing which she thought
capable of engaging his attention. She took all opportunities of sitting
near him at table, ogled him in the most palpable manner, directed her
whole discourse to him, trod upon his toes; nay, I believe, squeezed his
hand. My blood boiled at her, though my pride, for some time, enabled
me to conceal my uneasiness; till at length her behaviour became so
arrogant and gross, that I could no longer suppress my indignation,
and one day told my lover that I would immediately renounce his
correspondence.

"He was greatly alarmed at this unexpected declaration; and, when he
understood the cause of it, assured me, that, for the future, he would
never exchange one word with her. Satisfied with this mark of his
sincerity and regard, I released him from his promise, which he
could not possibly keep, while she and I lived upon any terms; and we
continued to visit each other as usual, though she still persisted in
her endeavours to rival me in his affection, and contracted an intimacy
with his companion, who seemed to entertain a passion for her, that she
might have the mor