, and enabled me to entertain
her with more gaity and freedom. - In the course of our conversation, I pressed
her to allow me the honour of waiting upon her next day, at her lodgings, which
she, with many apologies, refused, lest it should give umbrage to Sir John, who
was of a disposition apt to be fretted with trifles. - This information, by
which I was to understand that her husband was a knight, did not check my
addresses, which became more and more importunate, and I was even hardy enough
to ravish a kiss. - But, O heavens! instead of banqueting on the ambrosial
flavour, that her delicacy and complexion promised, I was almost suffocated with
the steams of Geneva! An exhalation of this kind from a mouth which had just
before declared an utter abhorrence of all spirituous liquors, not only changed
my doubts into certainty, but my raptures into loathing; and it would have been
impossible for me to have preserved common complaisance five minutes longer,
when my servant returned with a coach. - I took the advantage of this occasion,
and presented my hand to the lady, who put in practice against me the whole
artillery of her charms, ogling, languishing, sighing, and squeezing, with so
little reserve, that Strap perceived her tenderness, and rubbed his hands with
joy as he followed us to the door; - but I was proof against all her
endearments, and handed her into the coach with an intention to take my leave
immediately. She guessed my design, and invited me to her house, whispering,
that now Sir John was gone to bed, she could have the pleasure of my
conversation for half an hour without interruption. - I told her, there was no
mortification I would not undergo, rather than endanger the repose of her
ladyship; and bidding the coachman drive on, wished her a good night. - She lost
all temper at my indifference, and stopping the coach at the distance of about
twenty yards from me, popped out her head, and bawled with the lungs of a
fish-woman, »D-n you, you dog, won't you pay the coach-hire?« I made no answer:
Upon which she held forth against me with an eloquence peculiar to herself;
calling me pitiful fellow, scoundrel, and an hundred such appellations; and
concluding with an oath, that for all my appearance, she believed I had got no
money in my pocket.
    Having thus vented her indignation, she ordered the coachman to proceed, and
I returned to the tavern, where
