 Bragwell, that while I was so
happy as to obtain the lady's consent, I should not be sollicitous about his;
and desired the bearer himself to bring me no such impertinent messages for the
future. Melinda affected a sort of confusion, and pretended to wonder that Mr.
Bragwell should give himself such liberties with regard to her, who had no
manner of connexion with the fellow. I laid hold of this opportunity to display
my valour, and offered to call him to account for his insolence, which she
absolutely refused, under pretence of consulting my safety; though I could
perceive by the sparkling of her eyes, that she would not have thought herself
affronted in being the subject of a duel. I was by no means pleased with this
discovery of her thoughts, which not only argued the most unjustifiable vanity,
but likewise the most barbarous indifference; however, I was allured by her
fortune, and resolved to gratify her pride, in making her the occasion of a
publick quarrel between me and Bragwell, who, I was pretty certain, would never
drive matters to a dangerous extremity.
    While we danced together, I observed this formidable rival at one end of the
room, encircled with a cluster of beaus, to whom he talked with great vehemence,
casting many big looks at me, from time to time: I guessed the subject of his
discourse, and as soon as I had handed my partner to her seat, strutted up to
the place where he stood, and cocking my hat in his face, demanded aloud, if he
had any thing to say to me. He answered with a sullen tone, »Nothing, at
present, Sir,« and turned about upon his heel. - »Well, (said I) you know where
I am to be found at any time.« - His companions stared at one another, and I
returned to the lady, whose features brightened at my approach, and immediately
a whisper run thro' the whole room; after which, so many eyes were turned upon
me, that I was ready to sink with confusion. - When the ball broke up, I led her
to her coach, and, like a true French gallant, would have got up behind it, in
order to protect her from violence on the road; but she absolutely refused my
offer, and expressed her concern that there was not an empty seat for me within
it.
    Next day in the afternoon I waited on her at her lodgings, by permission, in
company with Chatter, and was very civilly received by her mother, with whom she
