o
strictly obliged, by good manners, not to show that contempt, that
the reserve they were forced to put on, laid them under so great a
restraint, that they knew not which way to turn themselves, or how
to utter one word; and great was their joy when Lady Caroline, as the
eldest, led the way, and with a swimming curtsey, her head turned half
round on one shoulder, and a disdainful eye, took her leave, repeating
two or three times the word 'misses,' to put them in mind, that she
was a lady. She was followed by her sister Lady Fanny, who made a slow
distinct curtsey to every one in the room, that she might be the
longer under observation. And then taking Miss Jenny by the hand, said,
'Indeed, Miss, you are very pretty,' in order to put them in mind of her
own beauty.

Our little society, as soon as they were released, retired to their
arbour, where, for some time, they could talk of nothing but this visit.
Miss Jenny Peace remarked how many shapes vanity would turn itself into,
and desired them to observe, how ridiculously Lady Caroline Delun turned
her whole thoughts on her dress, and condition of life; and how absurd
it was in Lady Fanny, who was a very plain girl, to set up for a beauty,
and to behave in a manner which would render her contemptible, even if
she had that beauty her own vanity made her imagine herself possessed
of.

Miss Nanny Spruce said, 'She was greatly rejoiced that she had seen her
folly; for she could very well remember when she had the same vanity of
dress and superiority of station with Lady Caroline, though she had not,
indeed, a title to support it; and in what manner, she said, she would
tell them in the story of her life.

THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS NANNY SPRUCE.

Miss Nanny Spruce was just nine years old, and was the very reverse of
Patty Lockit, in all things; for she had little limbs, little features,
and such a compactness in her form, that she was often called the little
fairy. She had the misfortune to be lame in one of her hips; but by good
management, and a briskness and alacrity in carrying herself, it was a
very small blemish to her, and looked more like an idle childish gait,
than any real defect.

THE LIFE OF MISS NANNY SPRUCE.

'My delight,' said Miss Nanny Spruce, 'ever since I can remember,
has been in dress and finery; for whenever I did as I was bid, I was
promised fine coats, ribbons, and laced caps; and when I was stubborn
and naughty, then my fine things w