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LETTER III.

I now find you was not at home when my notes came to your lodgings. The moment you ' receive this let me see you;-I shall not stir out; nor shall any body be let in but yourself. 'Sure nothing can detain you long.'

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Jones had just read over these three billets, when Mr. Nightingale came into the room. 'Well, 'Tom,' said he, any news from lady Bellaston, ' after last night's adventure?' (for it was now no secret to any one in that house who the lady was). The lady Bellaston?' answered Jones very gravely. Nay, dear Tom,' cries Nightingale, don't be so reserved to your friends. Though I 'was too drunk to see her last night, I saw her at 'the masquerade. Do you think I am ignorant 'who the queen of the fairies is?' And did really then know the lady at the masquerade?' said Jones. Yes, upon my soul, did I,' said Nightingale, and have given you twenty hints ' of it since, though you seemed always so tender on that point, that I would not speak plainly. I fancy, my friend, by your extreme nicety in this matter, you are not so well acquainted with the 'character of the lady, as with her person. Don't 'be angry, Tom, but upon my honour, you are 'not the first young fellow she hath debauched. 'Her reputation is in no danger, believe me.'

Though Jones had no reason to imagine the lady to have been of the vestal kind when his amour began; yet as he was thoroughly ignorant of the town, and had very little acquaintance in it, he had no knowledge of that character which is vulgarly called a demirep; that is to say, a woman who intrigues with every man she likes, under the name and appearance of virtue; and who, though some over-nice ladies will not be seen with her, is visited (as they term it) by the

whole town; in short, whom every body knows to be what nobody calls her.

When he found, therefore, that Nightingale was perfectly acquainted with his intrigue, and began to suspect, that so scrupulous a delicacy as he had hitherto observed, was not quite necessary on the occasion, he gave a latitude to his friend's tongue, and desired him to speak plainly what he knew, or had ever heard of the lady.

Nightingale, who, in many other instances, was rather too effeminate in his disposition, had a pretty strong inclination to tittle-tattle. He had no sooner, therefore, received a full liberty of speaking from Jones, than he entered upon a long narrative concerning the lady; which, as it contained many particulars highly to her dishonour, we have too great a tenderness for all women of condition to repeat. We would cautiously avoid giving an opportunity to the future commentators on our works, of making any malicious application; and of forcing us to be, against our will, the author of scandal, which never entered into our head.

Jones having very attentively heard all that Nightingale had to say, fetched a deep sigh; which the other observing, cried, 'Heyday! why 'thou art not in love, I hope! Had I imagined my stories would have affected you, I promise you should never have heard them."

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O my dear friend! cries Jones, 'I am so entangled with 'this woman, that I know not how to extricate myself. In love, indeed! no, my friend, but I 'am under obligations to her, and very great ones. Since you know so much, I will be very explicit 'with you. It is owing, perhaps, solely to her, 'that I have not, before this, wanted a bit of 'bread. How can I possibly desert such a woman? and yet I must desert her, or be guilty of the blackest treachery to one, who deserves infinitely 'better of me than she can; a woman, my Night

ingale, for whom I have a passion which few can 'have an idea of. I am half distracted with doubts 'how to act.' 'And is this other, pray, an honour'able mistress?' cries Nightingale. Honourable !' answered Jones; no breath ever yet durst sully her reputation. The sweetest air is not purer, the limpid stream not clearer than her honour. She is 'all over, both in mind and body, consummate perfection. She is the most beautiful creature in 'the universe; and yet she is mistress of such ' noble, elevated qualities, that though she is never 'from my thoughts, I scarce ever think of her beauty, but when I see it.'-' And can you, my good friend,' cries Nightingale, with such an engagement as this upon your hands, hesitate a moment about quitting such a ''Hold,' said Jones, no more abuse of her; I detest the thought of ingratitude.' 'Pooh!' answered the other, you are not the first upon whom she hath 'conferred obligations of this kind. She is re'markably liberal where she likes; though, let 'me tell you, her favours are so prudently be'stowed, that they should rather raise a man's ' vanity, than his gratitude.' In short, Nightiningale proceeded so far on this head, and told his friend so many stories of the lady, which he swore to the truth of, that he entirely removed all esteem for her from the breast of Jones; and his gratitude was lessened in proportion. Indeed, he began to look on all the favours he had received, rather as wages than benefits, which depreciated not only her, but himself too in his own conceit, and put him quite out of humour with both. From this disgust, his mind, by a natural transition, turned towards Sophia; her virtue, her purity, her love to him, her sufferings on his account, filled all his thoughts, and made his commerce with lady Bellaston appear still more odious. The result of all was, that though his turning himself out of her service, in which light he now saw his affair with

her, would be the loss of his bread; yet he determined to quit her, if he could but find a handsome pretence; which being communicated to his friend, Nightingale considered a little, and then said, I have it, my boy! I have found out a sure method; propose marriage to her, and I would venture hanging upon the success.' 'Marriage?' cries Jones. Ay, propose marriage,' answered Nightingale, and she will declare off in a moment. I knew a young fellow whom she kept formerly, who made the offer to her in earnest, and I was presently turned off for his pains.'

Jones declared he could not venture the experiment. Perhaps,' said he, she may be less shocked ' at this proposal from one man than from another. And if she should take me at my word, where am 'I then? caught in my own trap, and undone for ever.' 'No;' answered Nightingale, 'not if I 'can give you an expedient, by which you may, at any time, get out of the trap.'• What expe'dient can that be?' replied Jones. This,' answered Nightingale. The young fellow I mentioned, who is one of the most intimate acquaintances I have in the world, is so angry with her for some ill offices she hath since done him, that I am sure he would, without any difficulty, give you a sight of her letters; upon which you may decently break with her; and declare off before 'the knot is tied, if she should really be willing 'to tie it, which I am convinced she will not.'

After some hesitation, Jones, upon the strength of this assurance, consented; but as he swore he wanted the confidence to propose the matter to her face, he wrote the following letter, which Nightingale dictated,

'MADAM,

'I am extremely concerned, that, by an unfor'tunate engagement abroad, I should have missed receiving the honour of your ladyship's com

mands the moment they came; and the delay which I must now suffer of vindicating myself to your ladyship, greatly adds to this misfortune. O lady Bellaston! what a terror have I been in, for fear your reputation should be exposed by 'these perverse accidents! There is one only way to secure it. I need not name what that is. Only permit me to say, that as your honour is as dear < to me as my own; so my sole ambition is to have 'the glory of laying my liberty at your feet; and 'believe me when I assure you, I can never be 'made completely happy, without you generously 'bestow on me a legal right of calling you mine for ever. I am,

'Madam,

'with most profound respect,

your ladyship's most obliged,

obedient humble servant,

THOMAS JONES.'

To this she presently returned the following answer;

'SIR,

When I read over your serious epistle, I could, 'from its coldness and formality, have sworn that you already had the legal right you mention; nay, that we had, for many years, composed that monstrous animal a husband and wife. Do you really then imagine me a fool? or do you fancy yourself capable of so entirely persuading me out of my senses, that I should deliver my whole 'fortune into your power, in order to enable you to support your pleasures at my expense. Are these the proofs of love which I expected? Is this the return for--but I scorn to upbraid you,