 I met my friend Banter at the ordinary, and in the evening went
to the opera with him and Mr. Chatter, who pointed out Melinda in one of the
boxes, and offered to introduce me to her, observing at the same time, that she
was a reigning toast worth ten thousand pounds. - This piece of information made
my heart bound with joy, and I discovered great eagerness to accept the
proposal; upon which he assured me I should dance with her at the next assembly,
if he had any influence in that quarter; so saying, he went round, spoke to her
some minutes, and, as I imagined, pointed to me, then returning, told me, to my
inexpressible pleasure, that I might depend upon what he had promised, for she
was now engaged as my partner. - Banter, in a whisper, gave me to understand
that she was an incorrigible coquette, who would grant the same favour to any
young fellow in England, of a tolerable appearance, meerly to engage him among
the herd of her admirers, that she might have the pleasure of seeing them
increase daily; - that she was of a cold insensible disposition, dead to every
passion but vanity, and so blind to merit, that he would lay any wager, the
wealthiest fool should carry her at last. I attributed a good deal of this
intelligence to the satirical turn of my friend, or resentment, for having
himself suffered a rebuff from the lady in question; and at any rate, trusted so
much to my own accomplishments, as to believe no woman could resist the ardour
of my addresses.
    Full of this confidence, I repaired to Hampstead, in company with Billy
Chatter, my Lord Hobble, and doctor Wagtail. - Here I saw a very brilliant
assembly, before whom I had the honour to walk a minuet with Melinda, who
charmed me with her frank manner of receiving me, and easiness of behaviour. -
Before the country dances began, I received a message by a person I did not
know, from Bragwell, who was present, importing that no body who knew him,
presumed to dance with Melinda, while he was there in person; and that I would
do well to relinquish her without noise, because he had a mind to lead up a
country dance with her. This extraordinary intimation, which was delivered in
the lady's hearing, did not at all discompose me, who by this time was pretty
well acquainted with the character of my rival. I therefore, without the least
symptom of concern, bid the gentleman tell Mr.
