d for her that she had.

She would not ask her dear niece Lovelace, [Permit me, my dear, whispered
she, this charming style before strangers! I will keep your uncle's
secret,] whether she should be welcome or not to be so near her. But for
the time she should stay in these parts, she would come up every night--
What say you, niece Charlotte?

The pretended Charlotte answered, she should like to do so, of all
things.

The Lady Betty called her an obliging girl. She liked the place, she
said. Her cousin Leeson would excuse her. The air, and my company,
would do her good. She never chose to lie in the smoky town, if she
could help it. In short, my dear, said she to me, I will stay with you
till you hear from Miss Howe; and till I have your consent to go with me
to Glenham-hall. Not one moment will I be out of your company, when I
can have it. Stedman, my solicitor, as the distance from town is so
small, may attend me here for instructions. Niece Charlotte, one word
with you, child.

They retired to the further end of the room, and talked about their
night-dresses.

The Miss Charlotte said, Morrison might be dispatched for them.

True, said the other--but I have some letters in my private box, which
I must have up. And you know, Charlotte, that I trust nobody with the
keys of that.

Could not Morrison bring up the box?

No. She thought it safest where it was. She had heard of a robbery
committed but two days ago at the food of Hampstead-hill; and she should
be ruined in she lost her box.

Well, then, it was but going to town to undress, and she would leave her
jewels behind her, and return; and should be easier a great deal on all
accounts.

For my part, I wondered they came up with them. But that was to be taken
as a respect paid to me. And then they hinted at another visit of
ceremony which they had thought to make, had they not found me so
inexpressibly engaging.

They talked loud enough for me to hear them; on purpose, no doubt, though
in affected whispers; and concluded with high praises of me.

I was not fool enough to believe, or to be puffed up with their
encomiums; yet not suspecting them, I was not displeased at so favourable
a beginning of acquaintance with Ladies (whether I were to be related to
them or not) of whom I had always heard honourable mention. And yet at
the time, I thought, highly as they exalted me, that in some respects
(though I hardly know in what) they fell short