some lodgings not far from Charing Cross; and
in the evening dressed myself in a plain suit of the true Paris cut, and
appeared in a front box at the play, where I saw a good deal of company,
and was vain enough to believe that I was observed with an uncommon
degree of attention and applause. This silly conceit intoxicated me so
much, that I was guilty of a thousand ridiculous coquetries; and I dare
say, how favourable soever the thoughts of the company might be at my
first appearance, they were soon changed by my absurd behaviour into
pity or contempt. I rose and sat down, covered and uncovered my head
twenty times between the acts; pulled out my watch, clapped it to
my ear, wound it up, set it, gave it the hearing again; displayed my
snuff-box, affected to take snuff, that I might have all opportunity of
showing my brilliant, and wiped my nose with perfumed handkerchief;
then dangled my cane, and adjusted my sword-knot, and acted many more
fooleries of the same kind, in hopes of obtaining the character of
a pretty fellow, in the acquiring of which I found two considerable
obstructions in my disposition--namely, a natural reserve and jealous
sensibility. Fain would I have entered into conversation with the people
around me: but I was restrained by the fear of being censured for
my assurance, as well as by reflecting that I was more entitled to a
compliment of this kind from them, than they to such condescension from
a stranger like me. How often did I redden at the frequent whispers and
loud laughter of my fellow beaux, which I imagined were excited by me;
and how often did I envy the happy indifference of those choice spirits,
who behold the distress of the scene without discovering the least
symptom of approbation or concern. My attention was engaged in spite
of myself, and I could not help weeping with the heroine of the stage,
though I practised a great many shifs to conceal this piece of unpolite
weakness.

When the play was ended, I sat waiting for an opportunity of handing
some lady to her coach; but everyone was attended by such a number of
officious gallants, that for a long time I was balked in my expectation.
At length, however, I perceived a very handsome creature, genteelly
dressed, sitting by herself in a box, at some distance from me; upon
which I went up to her, and offered my service. She seemed to be in
some confusion, thanked me for my complaisance, and with a tender look
declined giving me the troub