possess it: but indeed, if ever Envy can possibly have any Excuse, or
        even Alleviation, it is in this Case, where the Good is so great, that
        it must be equally natural to all to wish it for themselves, nor am I
        ashamed to own it: and to your Merit, Horatio, I am obliged, that
        prevents my being in that most uneasy of all the Situations I can figure
        in my Imagination, of being led by Inclination to love the Person whom
        my own Judgment forces me to condemn.
 
Matters were in so great forwardness between this fond Couple, that the Day was
fixed for their Marriage, and was now within a Fortnight, when the Sessions
chanced to be held for that County in a Town about twenty Miles distance from
that which is the Scene of our Story. It seems, it is usual for the young
Gentlemen of the Bar to repair to these Sessions, not so much for the sake of
Profit, as to shew their Parts and learn the Law of the Justices of Peace: for
which purpose one of the wisest and gravest of all the Justices is appointed
Speaker or Chairman, as they modestly call it, and he reads them a Lecture, and
instructs them in the true Knowledge of the Law.
    »You are here guilty of a little Mistake,« says Adams, »which if you please
I will correct; I have attended at one of these Quarter Sessions, where I
observed the Counsel taught the Justices, instead of learning any thing of
them.«
    It is not very material, said the Lady: hither repaired Horatio, who as he
hoped by his Profession to advance his Fortune, which was not at present very
large, for the sake of his dear Leonora, he resolved to spare no Pains, nor lose
any Opportunity of improving or advancing himself in it.
    The same Afternoon in which he left the Town, as Leonora stood at her
Window, a Coach and Six passed by: which she declared to be the completest,
genteelest, prettiest Equipage she ever saw; adding these remarkable Words, O I
am in love with that Equipage! which, tho' her Friend Florella at that time did
not greatly regard, she hath since remembered.
    In the Evening an Assembly was held, which Leonora honoured with her
Company; but intended to pay her dear Horatio the Compliment of refusing to
dance in his Absence.
    O Why have not Women as good Resolution to maintain their Vows, as they have
often good Inclinations in making them!
    The Gentleman who owned the Coach and Six, came to the Assembly. His Clothes
were