Hobart's inclination, to have something
that could allure her.

Summer, being now returned, brought back with it the pleasures and
diversions that are its inseparable attendants. One day, when the ladies
had been taking the air on horseback, Miss Temple, on her return from
riding, alighted at Miss Hobart's, in order to recover her fatigue at
the expense of the sweetmeats, which she knew were there at her service;
but before she began she desired Miss Hobart's permission to undress
herself, and change her linen in her apartment; which request was
immediately complied with: "I was just going to propose it to you,"
said Miss Hobart, "not but that you are as charming as an angel in your
riding habit; but there is nothing so comfortable as a loose dress, and
being at one's ease: you cannot imagine, my dear Temple," continued
she, embracing her, "how much you oblige me by thus free unceremonious
conduct; but, above all, I am enchanted with your particular attention
to cleanliness: how greatly you differ in this, as in many other things,
from that silly creature Jennings! Have you remarked how all our court
fops admire her for her brilliant complexion, which perhaps, after all,
is not wholly her own; and for blunders, which are truly original, and
which they are such fools as to mistake for wit: I have not conversed
with her long enough to perceive in what her wit consists; but of this
I am certain, that if it is not better than her feet, it is no great
matter. What stories have I heard of her sluttishness! No cat ever
dreaded water so much as she does: fie upon her! Never to wash for her
own comfort, and only to attend to those parts which must necessarily be
seen, such as the neck and hands."

Miss Temple swallowed all this with even greater pleasure than the
sweetmeats; and the officious Hobart, not to lose time, was helping her
off with her clothes, while the chambermaid was coming. She made some
objections to this at first, being unwilling to occasion that trouble
to a person, who, like Miss Hobart, had been advanced to a place of
dignity; but she was overruled by her, and assured that it was with
the greatest pleasure she showed her that small mark of civility. The
collation being finished, and Miss Temple undressed: "Let us retire,"
said Miss Hobart, "to the bathing closet, where we may enjoy a little
conversation secure from any impertinent visit." Miss Temple consented,
and both of them sitting down on a couch: "You