hereabouts, said he, are resolved to
turn over a new leaf with our wives, and your lord and master shall
shew us the way, I can tell you that. But I see by your eyes, my sweet
culprit, added he, and your complexion, you have had sour sauce to your
sweet meat.

Miss Darnford said, I think we are obliged to our sweet guest, at last;
for she was forced to jump out at a window to come to us. Indeed! said
Mrs. Peters;--and my master's back being turned, says she, Lady Davers,
when a maiden, was always vastly passionate; but a very good lady when
her passion was over. And she'd make nothing of slapping her maids
about, and begging their pardons afterwards, if they took it patiently;
otherwise she used to say the creatures were even with her.

Ay, said I, I have been a many creatures and wenches, and I know not
what; for these were the names she gave me. And I thought I ought to
act up to the part her dear brother has given me; and so I have but just
escaped a good cuffing.

Miss Boroughs said to her sister, as I overheard, but she did not design
I should, What a sweet creature is this! and then she takes so little
upon her, is so free, so easy, and owns the honour done her, so
obligingly! said Mr. Perry, softly, The loveliest person I ever saw! Who
could have the heart to be angry with her one moment?

Says Miss Darnford, Here, my dearest neighbour, these gentry are
admiring you strangely; and Mr. Perry says, you are the loveliest lady
he ever saw; and he says it to his own mistress's face too, I'll assure
you!--Or else, says Miss Boroughs, I should think he much flattered me.

O, madam, you are exceedingly obliging! but your kind opinion ought to
teach me humility, and to reverence so generous a worth as can give a
preference against yourself, where it is so little due. Indeed, madam,
said Miss Nanny Boroughs, I love my sister well; but it would be a high
compliment to any lady, to be deemed worthy a second or third place
after you.

There is no answering such politeness, said I: I am sure Lady Davers
was very cruel to keep me from such company. 'Twas our loss, madam, says
Miss Darnford. I'll allow it, said I, in degree; for you have all been
deprived, several hours, of an humble admirer.

Mr. Perry said, I never before saw so young a lady shine forth with such
graces of mind and person. Alas! sir, said I, my master coming up, mine
is but a borrowed shine, like that of the moon. Here is the sun, to
whose fervent glow