his fortune would be effectually
made, by the personal accomplishments he should have occasion to display
to the beau monde in the course of his extravagance. In a word, vanity
and pride were the ruling foibles of our adventurer, who imagined
himself sufficiently qualified to retrieve his fortune in various
shapes, long before he could have any idea of want or difficulty. He
thought he should have it in his power, at any time, to make a prize of
a rich heiress, or opulent widow; his ambition had already aspired to
the heart of a young handsome duchess dowager, to whose acquaintance
he had found means to be introduced; or, should matrimony chance to be
unsuitable to his inclinations, he never doubted, that, by the interest
he might acquire among the nobility, he should be favoured with some
lucrative post, that would amply recompense him for the liberality
of his disposition. There are many young men who entertain the same
expectations, with half the reason he had to be so presumptuous.

In the midst of these chimerical calculations, his passion for Emilia
did not subside; but, on the contrary, began to rage with such an
inflammation of desire, that her idea interfered with every other
reflection, and absolutely disabled him from prosecuting the other lofty
schemes which his imagination had projected. He therefore laid down the
honest resolution of visiting her in all the splendour of his situation,
in order to practise upon her virtue with all his art and address, to
the utmost extent of his affluence and fortune. Nay, so effectually
had his guilty passion absorbed his principles of honour, conscience,
humanity, and regard for the commodore's last words, that he was base
enough to rejoice at the absence of his friend Godfrey, who, being then
with his regiment in Ireland, could not dive into his purpose, or take
measures for frustrating his vicious design.

Fraught with these heroic sentiments, he determined to set out for
Sussex in his chariot and six, attended by his valet-de-chambre and
two footmen; and as he was now sensible that in his last essay he had
mistaken his cue, he determined to change his battery, and sap the
fortress, by the most submissive, soft, and insinuating behaviour.

On the evening that preceded this proposed expedition, he went into one
of the boxes at the playhouse, as usual, to show himself to the ladies;
and reconnoitring the company through a glass (for no other reason but
because it was f