uld propose to him.

Miss Jennings told her that, for her part, curiosity was her principal
inducement for going thither; that, however, she was resolved to ask
him, without naming any person, why a man, who was in love with a
handsome young lady, was not urgent to marry her, since this was in his
power to do, and by so doing he would have an opportunity of gratifying
his desires. Miss Price told her, smiling, that, without going to the
astrologer, nothing was more easy than to explain the enigma, as she
herself had almost given her a solution of it in the narrative of the
Duchess of Cleveland's adventures.

Having by this time nearly arrived at the playhouse, Miss Price, after
a moment's reflection, said, that since fortune favoured them, a fair
opportunity was now offered to signalize their courage, which was to go
and sell oranges in the very playhouse, in the sight of the duchess and
the whole court. The proposal being worthy of the sentiments of the one,
and of the vivacity of the other, they immediately alighted, paid off
their hack, and, running through the midst of an immense number of
coaches, with great difficulty they reached the playhouse door. Sidney,
more handsome than the beautiful Adonis, and dressed more gay than
usual, alighted just then from his coach: Miss Price went boldly up to
him, as he was adjusting his curls; but he was too much occupied with
his own dear self to attend to anything else, and so passed on without
deigning to give her an answer. Killegrew came next, and the fair
Jennings, partly encouraged by the other's pertness, advanced towards
him, and offered him her basket, whilst Price, more used to the
language, desired him to buy her fine oranges. "Not now," said he,
looking at them with attention; "but if thou wilt to-morrow morning
bring this young girl to my lodgings, I will make it worth all the
oranges in London to thee" and while he thus spoke to the one he chucked
the other under the chin, examining her bosom. These familiarities
making little Jennings forget the part she was acting, after having
pushed him away with all the violence she was able, she told him with
indignation that it was very insolent to dare--"Ha! ha!" said he,
"here's a rarity indeed! a young w----, who, the better to sell her
goods, sets up for virtue, and pretends innocence!"

Price immediately perceived that nothing could be gained by continuing
any longer in so dangerous a place; and, taking her companion