e which so thoroughly prohibits
a lazy Christian from uniting a life of sinful indulgence with an
outward profession of piety.

Bragwell now seemed resolved to set about the matter in earnest; but
he resolved in his own strength: he never thought of applying for
assistance to the Fountain of Wisdom; to Him who giveth might to
them who have no strength. Unluckily the very day Mr. Worthy took
leave, there happened to be a grand ball at the next town, on
account of the assizes. An assize-ball, courteous reader! is a scene
to which gentlemen and ladies periodically resort to celebrate the
crimes and calamities of their fellow-creatures, by dancing and
music, and to divert themselves with feasting and drinking, while
unhappy wretches are receiving sentence of death.

To this ball Miss Bragwell went, dressed out with a double portion
of finery, pouring out on her head, in addition to her own
ornaments, the whole band-box of feathers, beads, and flowers, her
sister had left behind her. While she was at the ball her father
formed many plans of religious reformation; he talked of lessening
his business, that he might have more leisure for devotion; though
not _just now_, while the markets were so high; and then he began to
think of sending a handsome subscription to the Infirmary; though,
on second thoughts he concluded that he needed not be in a _hurry_,
but might as well leave it in his will; though to _give_, and
_repent_, and _reform_, were three things he was bent upon. But when
his daughter came home at night so happy and so fine! and telling
how she had danced with Squire Squeeze, the great corn contractor,
and how many fine things he had said to her, Mr. Bragwell felt the
old spirit of the world return in its full force. A marriage with
Mr. Dashall Squeeze, the contractor, was beyond his hopes; for Mr.
Squeeze was supposed from a very low beginning to have got rich
during the war.

As for Mr. Squeeze, he had picked up as much of the history of his
partner between the dances as he desired; he was convinced there
would be no money wanting; for Miss Bragwell, who was now looked on
as an only child, must needs be a great fortune, and Mr. Squeeze was
too much used to advantageous contracts to let this slip. As he was
gaudily dressed, and possessed all the arts of vulgar flattery, Miss
Bragwell eagerly caught at his proposal to wait on her father next
day. Squeeze was quite a man after Bragwell's own heart, a genius at
ge