l and obliging behaviour, as one of Mr. B----'s friends and
intimates. My master asked him to give him his company to supper; and he
said, I am so taken with your lady, that you must not give me too much
encouragement; for I shall be always with you, if you do. He was pleased
to say, You cannot favour us with too much of your company; and as I
have left you in the lurch in your single state, I think you will do
well to oblige us as much as you can; and who knows but my happiness may
reform another rake? Who knows? said Mr. Martin: Why, I know; for I am
more than half reformed already.

At the chariot door, Mrs. Arthur, Mrs. Brooks, and Mrs. Chambers, were
brought to me, by their respective spouses; and presently the witty Lady
Towers, who bantered me before, (as I once told you,) joined them; and
Mrs. Arthur said, she wished me joy; and that all the good ladies, my
neighbours, would collect themselves together, and make me a visit.
This, said I, will be an honour, madam, that I can never enough
acknowledge. It will be very kind so to countenance a person who will
always study to deserve your favour, by the most respectful behaviour.

Lady Towers said, My dear neighbour, you want no countenance; your own
merit is sufficient. I had a slight cold, that kept me at home in the
morning; but I heard you so much talked of, and praised, that I resolved
not to stay away in the afternoon; and I join in the joy every one gives
you. She turned to my master, and said, You are a sly thief, as I always
thought you. Where have you stolen this lady? And now, how barbarous is
it, thus unawares, in a manner, to bring her here upon us, to mortify
and eclipse us all?--You are very kind, madam, said he, that you and all
my worthy neighbours see with my eyes. But had I not known she had so
much excellency of mind and behaviour, as would strike every body in her
favour at first sight, I should not have dared to class her with such of
my worthy neighbours, as now so kindly congratulate us both.

I own, said she, softly, I was one of your censurers; but I never liked
you so well in my life, as for this action, now I see how capable your
bride is of giving distinction to any condition.--And, coming to me, My
dear neighbour, said she, excuse me for having but in my thought, the
remembrance that I have seen you formerly, when, by your sweet air and
easy deportment, you so much surpass us all, and give credit to your
present happy condition.

Dear