Jervis: I don't think this same favourite of yours so very artless a girl
as you imagine. I am not to dispute with your honour, said Mrs. Jervis;
but I dare say, if the men will let her alone, she'll never trouble
herself about them. Why, Mrs. Jervis, said he, are there any men that
will not let her alone, that you know of? No, indeed, sir, said she; she
keeps herself so much to herself, and yet behaves so prudently, that they
all esteem her, and shew her as great a respect as if she was a
gentlewoman born.
Ay, says he, that's her art, that I was speaking of: but, let me tell
you, the girl has vanity and conceit, and pride too, or I am mistaken;
and, perhaps, I could give you an instance of it. Sir, said she, you can
see farther than such a poor silly woman as I am; but I never saw any
thing but innocence in her--And virtue too, I'll warrant ye! said he.
But suppose I could give you an instance, where she has talked a little
too freely of the kindnesses that have been shewn her from a certain
quarter; and has had the vanity to impute a few kind words, uttered in
mere compassion to her youth and circumstances, into a design upon her,
and even dared to make free with names that she ought never to mention
but with reverence and gratitude; what would you say to that?--Say, sir!
said she, I cannot tell what to say.
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