 was master of. - I flattered, sighed, swore,
intreated, and acted a thousand extravagancies, in hopes of making some
impression on her heart; but she heard every thing I said without discovering
the least emotion; and other company came in, before she would vouchsafe one
serious reply. - After tea, the cards were brought in according to custom, and
it was my good fortune to have Melinda for my partner; by which means, instead
of losing, I came off with five guineas clear gain.
    I soon became acquainted with a good many people of fashion, and spent my
time in the modish diversions of the town, such as plays, operas, masquerades,
drums, assemblies and puppet-shews; chiefly in company with Melinda, whom I
cultivated with all the eagerness and address that my prospect could inspire,
and my education afford: I spared neither my person nor my purse, to gratify her
vanity and pride; my rivals were intimidated, and indeed outshone; and after
all, I began to fear that the dear creature had not a heart to lose. - At last,
finding myself unable to support the expence of this amour much longer, I was
determined to bring the matter to a crisis; and one evening, while we were tête
a tête, complained of her indifference, described the tortures of suspence to a
love-sick mind, and pressed her to disclose her sentiments of matrimony and me,
with such earnestness, that she could not with all her art, shift the subject;
but was obliged to come to an eclaircissement. - She let me know with a careless
air, that she had no objection to my person, and if I could satisfy her mother
in other particulars, I should not find her averse to the match; but she was
resolved to do nothing in an affair of such moment'ous concern, without the
advice and consent of her parent. - This was not a very agreeable declaration to
me, whose aim had been to win her inclination first, and then secure my conquest
by a private marriage, to which I flattered myself she would express no
reluctance. - That I might not, however, desert my cause before it was
desperate, I waited on the mother, and with great formality demanded the
daughter in marriage: The good lady, who was a very notable woman, behaved with
great state and civility; thanked me for the honour I intended her family, and
said, she did not doubt that I was in all respects qualified to make a woman
happy; but it concerned her as a parent anxious
