that dropt from them, very
free, and very frothy in their conversation; and by their laughing at
what they say themselves, taking that for wit which will not stand the
test, if I may be allowed to say so.

But they have heard, no doubt, what a person Mr. B.'s goodness to me
has lifted into notice; and they think themselves warranted to say any
thing before his country girl.

He was pleased to ask me, when they were gone, how I liked his two
lawyers? And said, they were persons of family and fortune.

"I am glad of it, Sir," said I; "for their own sakes."

"Then you don't approve of them, Pamela?"

"They are _your_ friends, Sir; and I cannot have any dislike to them."

"They say good things _sometimes_," returned he.

"I don't doubt it, Sir; but you say good things _always_."

"'Tis happy for me, my dear, you think so. But tell me, what you think
of 'em?"

"I shall be better able, Sir, to answer your questions, if I see them
a second time."

"But we form notions of persons at first sight, sometimes, my dear;
and you are seldom mistaken in yours."

"I only think. Sir, that they have neither of them any diffidence: but
their profession, perhaps, may set them above that."

"They don't _practise_, my dear; their fortunes enable them to live
without it; and they are too studious of their pleasures, to give
themselves any trouble they are not obliged to take."

"They seem to me. Sir, _qualified_ for practice: they would make great
figures at the bar, I fancy."

"Why so?"

"Only, because they seem prepared to think _well_ of what they say
_themselves_; and _lightly_ of what _other people_ say, or may think,
_of them_."

"That, indeed, my dear, is the necessary qualifications of a public
speaker, be he lawyer, or what he will: the man who cannot doubt
_himself_, and can think meanly of his _auditors_, never fails to
speak with _self-applause_ at least."

"But you'll pardon me, good Sir, for speaking my mind so freely, and
so early of these _your friends_."

"I never, my love, ask you a question, I wish you not to answer; and
always expect your answer should be without reserve; for many times
I may ask your opinion, as a corrective or a confirmation of my own
judgment."

How kind, how indulgent was this, my good lady! But you know, how
generously your dear brother treats me, on all occasions; and this
makes me so bold as I often am.

It may be necessary, my dear lady, to give you an account of our
vis