nded by the young ladies, acquainted me
that there was a chapter to be held that night in form, for the ceremony
of my reception into the sisterhood; and in which, with all due reserve
to my maidenhead, that was to be occasionally cooked up for the first
proper chapman. I was to undergo a ceremonial of initiation they were
sure I should not be displeased with.

Embarked as I was, and moreover captivated with the charms of my new
companions, I was too much prejudiced in favour of any proposal they
could make, to as much as hesitate an assent; which, therefore, readily
giving in the style of a carte blanche, I received fresh kisses of
compliment from them all, in approval of my docility and good nature.
Now I was "a sweet girl... I came into things with a good grace... I was
not affectedly coy... I should be the pride of the house," and the like.

This point thus adjusted, the young women left Mrs. Cole to talk and
concert matters with me, when she explained to me, that "I should be
introduced that very evening, to four of her best friends, one of
whom she had, according to the custom of the house, favoured with the
preference of engaging me in the first party of pleasure;" assuring me,
at the same time, "that they were all young gentlemen agreeable in their
persons, and unexceptionable in every respect; that united, and holding
together by the band of common pleasures, they composed the chief
support of her house, and made very liberal presents to the girls that
pleased and humoured them, so that they were, properly speaking, the
founders and patrons of this little seraglio. Not but that she had, at
proper seasons, other customers to deal with, whom she stood less upon
punctilio with, than with these; for instance, it was not on one of them
she could attempt to pass me for a maid; they were not only too knowing,
too much town-bred to bite at such a bait, but they were such generous
benefactors to her, that it would be unpardonable to think of it."

Amidst all the flutter and emotion which this promise of pleasure, for
such I conceived it, stirred up in me, I preserved so much of the woman,
as to feign just reluctance enough to make some merit, of sacrificing it
to the influence of my patroness, whom I likewise, still in character,
reminded of it perhaps being right for me to go home and dress, in
favour of my first impressions.

But Mrs. Cole, in opposition to this, assured me, "that the gentlemen
I should be presente