n her precisely at One, and
desir'd that he might Dine in the young Lady's Apartment, to avoid being
seen by any Visitants that might come; and besides, that he had invited
a Gentleman, his particular Friend, to Dinner with him there. This
Message being deliver'd aloud by the Servant, was no little Satisfaction
to the poor desponding young Lady, who discours'd very chearfully of
indifferent Matters, 'till the Clock gave 'em Notice that the Hour was
come; within three Minutes after which, Word was brought to the Lady
_Beldam_, that a Gentleman below enquir'd for Sir _William Wilding_,
whom she immediately went down to receive, and led up to _Philadelphia_.
Madam, (cry'd the great Mistress of her Art) this is the Gentleman whom
Sir _William_ has invited to Dinner with us; and I am very Happy to see
him, for he is my worthy Friend, and of a long Acquaintance. Trust me,
Madam, he is a Man of Honour, and has a very large Estate: I doubt not
(added she) that you will find his Merits in his Conversation. Here
_Gracelove_, for that was the Gentleman's Name, saluted _Philadelphia_,
and acquitted himself like a Person of good Sense and Education, in his
first Address to her; which she return'd with all the Modesty and
ingenuous Simplicity that was still proper to her. At last she ask'd him
how long he thought it wou'd be e're Sir _William_ came? To which he
reply'd, that Sir _William_ told him, unless he were there exactly at
half an Hour after One, they shou'd not stay Dinner for him; that he had
not parted with him much above a Quarter of an Hour, when he left him
engag'd with particular Company, about some weighty Business: But
however, that, if he shou'd be so unhappy as to lose their Conversation
at Dinner, he wou'd not fail to wait on 'em by Four at farthest. The
young Lady seem'd a little uneasie at this; but the Gentleman appearing
so very Modest, and speaking it with such an assur'd Gravity, took away
all Thoughts of Suspicion. To say Truth, _Gracelove_ was a very honest,
modest, worthy and handsome Person; and had the Command, at present, of
a many Thousand Pounds, he was by Profession a _Turkey_ Merchant: He had
Travell'd much, for his Age, not having then reach'd Thirty, and had
seen most of the Courts in _Christendom_: He was a Man of a sweet
Temper, of just Principles, and of inviolable Friendship, where he
promis'd; which was no where, but where 'twas merited. The Minute came
then at length, but without any Sir _Will