nks they came in, into an ample
mahogany repository, where they will lie at full length, and which has
drawers in it for linen. A repository, that used to hold the riches
suits which some of the nymphs put on, when they are to be dressed out,
to captivate, or to ape quality. For many a countess, thou knowest, has
our mother equipped; nay, two or three duchesses, who live upon quality-
terms with their lords. But this to such as will come up to her price,
and can make an appearance like quality themselves on the occasion: for
the reputation of persons of birth must not lie at the mercy of every
under-degreed sinner.

A master-key, which will open every lock in this chest, is put into
Dorcas's hands; and she is to take care, when she searches for papers,
before she removes any thing, to observe how it lies, that she may
replace all to a hair. Sally and Polly can occasionally help to
transcribe. Slow and sure with such an Argus-eyed charmer must be all
my movements.

It is impossible that one so young and so inexperienced as she is can
have all her caution from herself; the behaviour of the women so
unexceptionable; no revellings, no company ever admitted into this inner-
house; all genteel, quiet, and easy in it; the nymphs well-bred, and
well-read; her first disgusts to the old one got over.--It must be Miss
Howe, therefore, [who once was in danger of being taken in by one of our
class, by honest Sir George Colmar, as thou hast heard,] that makes my
progress difficult.

Thou seest, Belford, by the above precautionaries, that I forget nothing.
As the song says, it is not to be imagined

On what slight strings
Depend these things
On which men build their glory!

So far, so good. I shall never rest till I have discovered in the first
place, where the dear creature puts her letters; and in the next till I
have got her to a play, to a concert, or to take an airing with me out of
town for a day or two.

***

I gave thee just now some of my contrivances. Dorcas, who is ever
attentive to all her lady's motions, has given me some instances of her
mistress's precautions. She wafers her letters, it seems, in two places;
pricks the wafers; and then seals upon them. No doubt but the same care
is taken with regard to those brought to her, for she always examines the
seals of the latter before she opens them.

I must, I must come at them. This difficulty augments my curiosity.
Strange, so