ecution; but they only retired
to the next room, whence they could overhear the whole conversation.
My wife artfully introduced it, by observing, that one of the Miss
Flamboroughs was like to have a very good match of it in Mr. Spanker.
To this the Squire assenting, she proceeded to remark, that they who
had warm fortunes were always sure of getting good husbands: "But
heaven help," continued she, "the girls that have none! What signifies
beauty, Mr. Thornhill? or what signifies all the virtue, and all the
qualifications in the world, in this age of self-interest? It is not,
What is she? but, What has she? is all the cry."

6. "Madam," returned he, "I highly approve the justice, as well as the
novelty, of your remarks, and if I were a king, it should be
otherwise. It should then, indeed, be fine times for the girls without
fortunes: our two young ladies should be the first for whom I would
provide."

7. "Ah, sir," returned my wife, "you are pleased to be facetious: but
I wish I were a queen, and then I know where my eldest daughter
should look for an husband. But now that you have put it into my head,
seriously, Mr. Thornhill, can't you recommend me a proper husband for
her? She is now nineteen years old, well grown and well educated, and,
in my humble opinion, does not want for parts."

8. "Madam," replied he, "if I were to choose, I would find out a
person possessed of every accomplishment that can make an angel happy.
One with prudence, fortune, taste, and sincerity; such, madam, would
be, in my opinion, the proper husband."--"Ay, sir," said she, "but do
you know of any such person?"--"No, Madam," returned he, "it is
impossible to know any person that deserves to be her husband: she's
too great a treasure for one man's possession: she's a goddess! Upon
my soul, I speak what I think, she's an angel!"--"Ah, Mr. Thornhill,
you only flatter my poor girl: but we have been thinking of marrying
her to one of your tenants, whose mother is lately dead, and who wants
a manager; you know whom I mean, Farmer Williams; a warm man, Mr.
Thornhill, able to give her good bread; and who has several times made
her proposals" (which was actually the case); "but, sir," concluded
she, "I should be glad to have your approbation of our choice."--"How,
Madam," replied he, "my approbation!--my approbation of such a choice!
Never. What! Sacrifice so much beauty, and sense, and goodness, to a
creature insensible of the blessing! Excuse me, I