e no woman could resist the ardour of
my addresses.

Full of this confidence I repaired to Hampstead in company with
Billy Chatter, my Lord Hobble, and Doctor Wagtail. There I saw a very
brilliant assembly, before whom I had the honour to walk a minuet with
Melinda, who charmed me with her frank manner and easiness of behaviour.
Before the country dances began, I received a message by a person I did
not know from Bragwell, who was present, importing that nobody who knew
him presumed to dance with Melinda while he was there in person, that I
would do well to relinquish her without noise, because he had a mind to
lead up a country dance with her. This extraordinary intimation, which
was delivered in the lady's hearing, did not at all discompose me, who,
by this time, was pretty well acquainted with the character of my rival.
I therefore, without the least symptom of concern bade the gentleman
tell Mr. Bragwell, that since I was so happy as to obtain the lady's
consent, I should not be solicitous about his; and desired the bearer
himself to bring me no such impertinent messages for the future.
Melinda, affected a sort of confusion, and pretended to wonder that Mr.
Bragwell should give himself such liberties with regard to her, who had
no manner of connection with the fellow. I laid hold of this opportunity
to display my valour, and offered to call him to an account for his
insolence, a proposal which she absolutely refused, under pretence of
consulting my safety; though I could perceive, by the sparkling of her
eyes, that she would not have thought herself affronted by being the
subject of a duel. I was by no means pleased with this discovery of
her thoughts, which not only argued the most unjustifiable vanity, but
likewise the most barbarous indifference; however, I was allured by her
fortune, and resolved to gratify her pride, in making her the occasion
of a public quarrel between me and Bragwell, who, I was pretty certain,
would never drive matters to a dangerous extremity.

While we danced together, I observed this formidable rival at one end
of the room, encircled with a cluster of beaux, to whom he talked with
great vehemence, casting many big looks at me from time to time. I
guessed the subject of his discourse, and as soon as I had handed my
partner to her seat, strutted up to the place where he stood, and,
cocking my hat in his face, demanded aloud, if he had anything to say
to me. He answered with a sullen tone,