is universally followed and admired; yet I cannot help suspecting that her splendid fortune and brilliant prospects have contributed full as much to place her so high in the lists of beauty as any intrinsic charms she possesses; but I make no doubt you will not agree in my opinion, for I know on this subject it is impossible you should talk according to conscience. Why so, said I. Because it is wholly but of nature for one fine woman to give her genuine sentiments of another. Do you then imagine envy so universally prevalent. By no means. I only believe that the terror of such an imputation induces every handsome female to bestow upon another encomiums infinitely beyond her private opinion. To prove my sincerity, said I, I will acknowledge, that Lady Elizabeth, tho' undoubtedly a fine looking woman, is less so than from report I expected to find her. Had she trusted to nature, returned he, she might have merited the appellation you give her; but affectation and coquetry will distort the finest features, and produce awkwardness where we ought to admire grace. That the friend of Mr. Roatsley should express to a stranger, with so little reserve, an opinion so unfavourable of the woman who was soon to be united to him, surprized me not a little, and I could only account for it by supposing that her coquetish behaviour had provoked him so much as to put him out of all patience and had rendered his prudence off its guard. I thought, said I, all her little follies of that sort were soon to have a speedy conclusion. Conclusion, repeated he, in a voice of undisguised displeasure; not so long as youth and good looks remain, I'll be sworn; at least if we may judge of the future by the present. I thought Lady Elizabeth had been on the verge of matrimony, said I, with as much composure as I could assume, yet trembling to hear it confirmed from authority so indisputable. And pray can you, Miss Seymour, who have passed part of the winter in town, pretend to imagine that matrimony, to a vain woman, excludes the attentions of a crowd of followers. Your reproof of my ignorance is just, said I, (attempting to smile, though inwardly depressed by an answer so unsatisfactory and evasive, and which yet tacitly acknowledged the truth of Lady Elizabeth's engagement) but I was little in company, had few acquaintance, and spent my time chiefly at home in a very sober domestic family. Yes, we could not conceive where you had hid yourself, for you were to be