s Sister to him? None? Certainly,
you'll excuse me, Madam, (answer'd t'other) a Wife or Mistress may.
A Wife indeed, (return'd the beautiful Innocent) has the Pre-eminence,
and perhaps, a Mistress too, if honourably lov'd and sought for in
Marriage: But, (she continu'd) I can assure your Ladyship that he has
not a Wife, nor did I ever hear he had a Mistress yet. Love in Youth
(said old Venerable) is very fearful of Discovery. I have known, Madam,
a great many fine young Gentlemen and Ladies, who have conceal'd their
violent Passions and greater Affection, under the Notion and Appellation
of Brother and Sister. And your Ladyship imagines, Sir _William_ and I
do so? reply'd _Philadelphia_, by way of Question. 'Twere no imprudence,
if you did, Madam, return'd old Lady _Beldam_, with all the Subtlety she
had learn'd from the Serpent. Alas! Madam, (reply'd she) there is
nothing like Secrecy in Love: 'Tis the very Life and Soul of it! I have
been young myself, and have known it by Experience. But, all this,
Madam, (interrupted _Philadelphia_, something nettl'd at her Discourse)
all this can't convince me, that I am not the true and only Sister both
by Father and Mother of Sir _William Wilding_; however, he wou'd impose
upon your Ladyship, for what Ends, indeed, I know not, unless
(unhappily, which Heaven forbid!) he designs to gain your Ladyship's
Assistance in defeating me of the Portion left me by my Father: But,
(she continued with Tears) I have too great an Assurance of your Virtue,
to Fear that you will consent to so wicked a Practise. You may be
confident, Madam, (said t'other) I never will. And, supposing that he
were capable of perpetrating so base an Act of himself, yet if your
Ladyship will be guided and directed by me, I will shew you the Means of
living Happy and Great, without your Portion, or your Brother's Help; so
much I am charm'd with your Beauty and Innocence.

But, pray, Madam, (pursu'd she) what is your Portion? And what makes you
doubt your Brother's Kindness? _Philadelphia_ then told her, how much
her Brother was to pay her, and gave her an Account of his
Extravagancies, as far as she knew 'em; to which t'other was no
Stranger; and (doubtless) cou'd have put a Period to her Sorrows with
her Life, had she given her as perfect a Relation of his riotous and
vicious Practices, as she was capable of: But she had farther Business
with her Life, and, in short, bid her be of good Comfort, and lay all
her Care o