proverbs, in these
phrases, in this wisdom of nations.

Mrs. Moore was to be the messenger, but Miss Rawlins began the dialogue.

Your SPOUSE, Madam,--[Devil!--only to fish for a negative or affirmative
declaration.]

Cl. My spouse, Madam--

Miss R. Mr. Lovelace, Madam, avers that you are married to him; and
begs admittance, or your company in the dining-room, to talk upon the
subject of the letters he left with you.

Cl. He is a poor wicked wretch. Let me beg of you, Madam, to favour me
with your company as often as possible while he is hereabouts, and I
remain here.

Miss R. I shall with pleasure attend you, Madam: but, methinks, I could
wish you would see the gentleman, and hear what he has to say on the
subject of the letters.

Cl. My case is a hard, a very hard one--I am quite bewildered!-I know
not what to do!--I have not a friend in the world that can or will help
me! Yet had none but friends till I knew that man!

Miss R. The gentleman neither looks nor talks like a bad man.--Not a
very bad man, as men go.

As men go! Poor Miss Rawlins, thought I; and dost thou know how men go?

Cl. O Madam, you know him not! He can put on the appearance of an
angel of light; but has a black, a very black heart!

Poor I!--

Miss R. I could not have thought it, truly! But men are very
deceitful, now-a-days.

Now-a-days!--A fool!--Have not her history-books told her that they were
always so?

Mrs. Moore, sighing. I have found it so, I am sure, to my cost!--

Who knows but in her time poor goody Moore may have met with a Lovelace,
or a Belford, or some such vile fellow? My little harum-scarum beauty
knows not what strange histories every woman living, who has had the
least independence of will, could tell her, were such to be as
communicative as she is. But here's the thing--I have given her cause
enough of offence; but not enough to make her hold her tongue.

Cl. As to the letters he has left with me, I know not what to say to
them: but am resolved never to have any thing to say to him.

Miss R. If, Madam, I may be allowed to say so, I think you carry
matters very far.

Cl. Has he been making a bad cause a good one with you, Madam?--That he
can do with those who know him not. Indeed I heard him talking, thought
not what he said, and am indifferent about it.--But what account does he
give of himself?

I was pleased to hear this. To arrest, to stop her passion, thought I,
in