 said Henrietta.
"Enough, enough," cried Mrs. Autumn, hastily; "I hate long speeches."
Henrietta was pleased with a declaration which enjoined her silence; for if it be tiresome to listen to the sallies of affectation and impertinence, it •e much more so to be obliged to answer them.
HEnrietta had exercised her patience for some weeks in the service of Mrs. Autumn; but every day producing new instances of her folly, she resolved to quit her as soon as the countess came to town. She conceived she was in some degree accountable to that lady for her actions, since it was through her recommendation, that she had been introduced to Mrs. Autumn; and she thought it neccessary for the justification of her conduct, to have so considerable a witness of its being irreproachable.
Her lady, though she found herself always disappointed in that complaisance to her whims which she endeavoured to exact from her, yet ventured to make her a proposal, which her own want of delicacy hindered her from seeing the impropriety of.
She had taken it into her head to try her supposed lover's constancy, and therefore wrote a letter to him, in the character of a lady unknown,

on whose heart he had made a deep impression, but who was resolved not to discover herself till she knew whether his was wholly disengaged.
This letter, she doubted not, would produce a declaration that would afford matter of great triumph to herself, who she suspected was the secret object of his adoration.
She acquainted her woman with her scheme, and gravely desired her to copy the letter, for Languish, she said, knew her hand.
Henrietta blushed with surprise and shame at this improper request, and very frankly begged to be excused from complying with it.
"What!" said Mrs. Autumn, a little confused; "you dispute my commands then!"

I never refused to obey any of your commands before, madam,
replied Henrietta;
but this, pardon me, madam, appears so strange.


You do not dare to suspect my virtue, I hope,
said Mrs. Autumn, in a lofty accent.

"It does not become me, madam," said Henrietta, "to censure your actions."
"No, certainly," replied the lady,
nor to refuse to do any thing that I order you to do: but I would fain know if you, in your great

wisdom, think there is anything improper in this little piece of gallantry.

"My opinion is of no consequence, madam," replied Henrietta;
I only beg to
