There is not indeed a greater Error than that which univerfally prevails among the Vulgar, who borrowing their Opinion from fome ignorant Satyrifts, have affixed the Character of Lewdness to thefe Times. On the contrary, I am convinced there never was lefs of Love Intrigue carried on among Perfons of Condition, than now. Cur prefent Women have been taught by their Mothers to fix their Thoughts only on Ambition and Vanity, and to defpife the Pleasures of Love as unworthy their Regard; and being afterwards, by the Care of fuch Mothers, married without having Hufbands, they feem pretty well confirmed in the Juftness of those Sentiments; whence they content themselves, for the dull Remainder of Life, with the Pursuit of more innocent, but I am afraid more childish Amufements, the bare Men. tion of which would ill fuit with the Dignity of this History. In my humble Opinion, the true Characteristick of the prefent Beau Monde, is rather Folly than Vice, and the only Epithet which it deferves is that of Frivolous.

СНАР.

CHAP. U.

Containing Letters and other Matters which attend Amours.

ter.

NES had not long been at Home, before he received the following Let

I was never more furprized than when • I found you was gone. When you left the Room, I little imagined you intended to have left the Houfe without feeing me again. Your Behaviour is all of a Piece, and convinces me how much I ought to defpife a Heart which can doat upon an Idiot; though I know not whether I fhould not admire her Cunning more than her Simplicity: Wonderful both! For though the underflood not a Word of what paffed between us, she yet had the Skill, the Affurance, what fhall I call it? to deny to

the my Face, that he knows you, or ever • faw you before. Was this a Scheme laid between you, and have you been 'bafe enough to betray me?

O how

•

I defpife her, you, and all the World, but chiefly myself, for I dare not • write what I fhould afterwards run mad to read; but remember, I can deteft as violently as I have loved.'

Jones had but little Time given him to reflect on this Letter, before a second was brought him from the fame Hand; and this, likewise, we shall fet down in the precife Words.

• When you confider the Hurry of Spirits in which I must have writ, you cannot be surprised at any Expreffions in my • former Note. Yet, perhaps, on • Reflection, they were rather too warm. At least I would, if poffible, think all owing to the odious Playhouse, and to the Impertinence of a Fool, which de⚫tained me beyond my Appointment.• How easy is it to think well of those we love?

Perhaps you defire I should think fo. I have refolved to fee you To Night, fo come to me immediately.

P. S. I have ordered to be at Home to none but yourself.

P.

• P. S. Mr. Jones will imagine I fhall affift him in his Defence; for I be• lieve he cannot defire to impofe on • me more than I defire to impofe on myself.

• P. S. Come immediately."

To the Men of Intrigue I refer the Determination, whether the angry or the tender Letter gave the greatest Uneafinefs to Jones. Certain it is, he had no violent Inclination to pay any more Vifits that Evening, unleis to one fingle Perfon. However he thought his Honour engaged,and had not this been Motive fufficient, he would not have ventured to blow the Temper of Lady Bellaflon into that Flame of which he had Reafon to think it fufceptible, and of which he feared the Confequence might be a Difcovery to Sophia, which he dreaded. After fome difcontented Walks therefore about the Room, he was preparing to depart, when the Lady kindly prevented him, not by another Letter, but by her own Presence. She entered the Room very difordered in her Drefs, and very difcompofed in her

Looks,

Looks, and threw herself into a Chair, where having recovered her Breath, the faid, You fee, Sir, when Women

have gone one Length too far, they will •ftop at none. If any Person would have • fworn this to me a Weck ago, I would not • have believed it of myself.' I hope, Madam, faid Jones, my charming Lady Bellafton will be as difficult to believe any thing against one who is fo fenfible of the many Obligations fhe hath conferred upon him.'—' Indeed! fays fhe, fenfible ⚫ of Obligations! Did I expect to hear fuch cold Language from Mr. Jones? Pardon me, my dear Angel, faid he, if • after the Letters I have received, the Terrors of your Anger, though I know not how I have deferved it' --And have I then, fays fhe with a Smile, fo angry a Countenance?-Have I really brought a chiding Face with me?" If there be Honour in Man, faid he, I have done nothing to merit your Anger. You remember the Appointment you fent

me

-I went in Pursuance

I beseech you, cry'd fhe, do not run through the odious Recital

An

fwer me but one Question, and I fhall Have you not betrayed my Honour

be eafy ---