 common gallantry and
deceit, the striking simplicity in his character was the more likely to engage
the heart of one who knew the perfidy of the world, and despised all the farce
and bombast of fashionable profession, which I had always considered as the
phrase of vanity and ostentation, rather than the genuine language of love.
Besides, gratitude had a considerable share in augmenting my affection, which
manifested itself in such a warm, cordial, artless manner, as increased his
esteem, and rivetted his attachment; for he could easily perceive, from the
whole tenour of my conduct, that my breast was an utter stranger to craft and
dissimulation: yet I was at first fearful of contracting any engagement with
him, because, being younger than me, he might be the more apt to change, and the
world might be malicious enough to suppose I had practised upon his
inexperience; but, conscious of my own integrity, I set slander at defiance,
trusting to my own behaviour, and his natural probity, for the continuance of
his love. Though we did not live together in the same house, the greatest part
of our time was spent in each other's company; we dined and supped at the same
table, frequented public places, went upon parties to the country, and never
parted, but for a few hours in the night, which we passed in the utmost
impatience to meet again.
    In this agreeable manner did the days roll on, when my felicity was
interrupted by a fit of jealousy with which I happened to be seized. I had
contracted an acquaintance with a young married lady, who, though her personal
attractions were but slender, was, upon the whole, an agreeable, chearful,
good-natured companion, with a little dash of the coquette in her composition.
This woman being in very indigent circumstances, occasioned by some losses her
husband had sustained, no sooner had an opportunity of seeing and conversing
with my lover, than she formed the design of making a conquest of him. I should
have forgiven her for this scheme, whatever pangs it might have cost me, had I
believed it the effect of real passion; but I knew her too well, to suppose her
heart was susceptible of love, and accordingly resented it. In the execution of
her plan, she neglected nothing which she thought capable of engaging her
attention. She took all opportunities of sitting near him at table, ogled him in
the most palpable manner, directed her whole discourse to him, trod upon his
toes; nay, I believe, squeezed his hand. My blood boiled at her,
