be at his
disposal without the least reserve, the example of such agreeable
companions would alone determine me, and that I was in no pain about any
thing but my appearing to so great a disadvantage after such superior
beauties." And take notice that I thought, as I spoke. The frankness
of the answer pleased them all; my particular was complimented on his
acquisition, and, by way of indirect flattery to me, openly envied me.

Mrs. Cole, by the way, could not have given me a greater mark of her
regard than in managing for me the choice of this young gentleman for
my master of the ceremonies: for, independent of his noble birth and the
great fortune he was heir to, his person was even uncommonly pleasing,
well shaped and tall; his face marked with the small-pox, but no more
than what added a grace of more manliness to features rather turned to
softness and delicacy, was marvellously enlivened by eyes which were of
the clearest sparkling black; in short he was one whom any woman would,
in the familiar style, ready call a very pretty fellow.

I was now handed by him to the cockpit of our match, where, as I was
dressed in nothing but a white morning gown, he vouchsafed to play the
male Abigail on this occasion, and spared me the confusion that would
have attended the forwardness of undressing myself: my gown then was
loosen'd in a trice, and I divested of it; my stays next offered an
obstacle which readily gave way, Louisa very readily furnished a pair of
scissors to cut the lace; off went that shell and dropping my uppercoat,
I was reduced to my under one and my shift, the open bosom of which gave
the hands and eyes all the liberty they could wish. Here I imagined the
stripping was to stop, but I reckon short; my spark, at the desire of
the rest, tenderly begged, that I would not suffer the small remains of
a covering to rob them of a full view of my whole person; and for me,
who was too flexibly obsequious to dispute any point with them, and who
considered the little more that remained as very immaterial, I readily
assented to whatever he pleased-In an instant, then, my under petticoat
was untied and at my feet, and my shift drawn over my head, so that my
cap, slightly fastened, came off with it, and brought all my hair down
(of which, be it again remembered without vanity, that I had a very fine
head) in loose disorderly ringlets, over my neck and shoulders, to the
no unfavourable set-off of my skin.

I now stood befor