
himself was almost persuaded to be of the same Opinion. And as no other Lady but
Mrs. Fitzpatrick, he thought, knew his Lodging, he began to flatter himself with
some Hopes, that it came from her, and that he might possibly see his Sophia.
These Hopes had surely very little Foundation; but as the Conduct of Mrs.
Fitzpatrick, in not seeing him according to her Promise, and in quitting her
Lodgings, had been very odd and unaccountable, he conceived some faint Hopes,
that she (of whom he had formerly heard a very whimsical Character) might
possibly intend to do him that Service, in a strange Manner, which she declined
doing by more ordinary Methods. To say the Truth, as nothing certain could be
concluded from so odd and uncommon an Incident, he had the greater Latitude to
draw what imaginary Conclusions from it he pleased. As his Temper therefore was
naturally sanguine, he indulged it on this Occasion, and his Imagination worked
up a thousand Conceits, to favour and support his Expectations of meeting his
dear Sophia in the Evening.
    Reader, if thou hast any good Wishes towards me, I will fully repay them, by
wishing thee to be possessed of this sanguine Disposition of Mind: Since, after
having read much, and considered long on that Subject of Happiness which hath
employed so many great Pens, I am almost inclined to fix it in the Possession of
this Temper; which puts us, in a Manner, out of the Reach of Fortune, and makes
us happy without her Assistance. Indeed the Sensations of Pleasure it gives are
much more constant, as well as much keener than those which that blind Lady
bestows; Nature having wisely contrived, that some Satiety and Languor should be
annexed to all our real Enjoyments, lest we should be so taken up by them, as to
be stopt from further Pursuits. I make no Manner of doubt but that, in this
Light, we may see the imaginary future Chancellor just called to the Bar, the
Archbishop in Crape, and the Prime-Minister at the Tail of an Opposition, more
truly happy than those who are invested with all the Power and Profit of these
respective Offices.
    Mr. Jones having now determined to go to the Masquerade that Evening, Mr.
Nightingale offered to conduct him thither. The young Gentleman, at the same
Time, offered Tickets to Miss Nancy and her Mother; but the good Woman would not
accept them. She said, »She did not conceive the Harm which some People imagined
in a Masquerade; but that such extravagant Diversions were proper only for
Persons of
