t_,--ha, ha, ha. So my very discreet, prudish little
Harriet never lets man enter into her head; tho' it is pretty notorious
somebody has enter'd into her heart long ago.

HARRIET. Your discernment must be very subtle, if you know all that is in
my heart.

MARIA. I only judge of your heart, by your tongue; and the abundance of the
former is generally inferred from the speech of the latter.--Yes, yes--that
constant, hypocritical heart of yours is now throbbing with love, hope,
curiosity, and--a thousand speechless sensations, the improper subject of
which, I do not hesitate to declare, is odious man; and that man, the
accomplished Mr. Loveyet.

HARRIET. Pshaw,--how can you tantalize one so?

MARIA. Well, well, it shall not be serv'd like Tantalus any more: _he_ was
doom'd to behold; and, beholding, to wish and languish for the tempting
draught, in vain: but a better doom awaits the happy Harriet;--what she
desires is not thus interdicted, but will soon be obtain'd, and--

HARRIET. How strangely you talk, Maria.

MARIA. Well, I will not keep you in suspense any longer. Old Mr. Loveyet
has received a letter from his son, signifying his intention to leave the
West-Indies shortly after its date, so you may expect to see him very soon.
Then hey for a wedding, &c.

HARRIET. Ha, ha; you are a droll girl.

MARIA. But my time is precious; I am just going to the widow
Affable's:--about twelve months ago she paid me a visit, when, agreeably to
the form in such cases made and provided, she beg'd I would be more
sociable, and she would take it so kindly of me:--accordingly I shall step
in _en passant_, to shew her my sociability and kindness, which I shall,
perhaps, repeat at the end of another year.

HARRIET. How can you be so cruel? The pleasure I experience in your
society, makes me regret that any one should be deprived of it.

MARIA. That is very strange:--I should imagine, if you priz'd my company so
much, you would wish me to withhold it from others; because, the more I
bless them with my presence, the less will come to your share, you know, my
dear;--nor is it easy to conceive how you could be so fond of my sweet
person, without being jealous at the partiality of others;--but, after all,
good people, they say, are scarce; and my humble admirers shall find the
saying verified in me; because they are not fully sensible of my superior
value; but, since you prove the contrary, by extolling my conversation and
friendshi