I bowed my thankful assent; she appointed the hour, and soon
after, looking at her watch, said she was afraid she must leave the
delights of such a select and interesting society for a far less
agreeable party.

When she was gone, I expressed my obligations to her politeness, and
anticipated the pleasure I should have in seeing her pictures. "She is
much more anxious that you should see her _Originals_," said Lady
Belfield smiling; "the kindness is not _quite_ disinterested; take care
of your heart." Sir John, rather gravely, said, "It is with reluctance
that I ever say any thing to the prejudice of any body that I receive in
my house; but as the son of my valued friend, I think it fair to tell
you that this vigilant matron keeps a keen look out after all young men
of fortune. This is not the first time that the Titian has been made the
bait to catch a promising acquaintance. Indeed it is now grown so stale,
that had you not been a new man, she would hardly have risked it. If you
had happened not to like painting, some book would have been offered
you. The return of a book naturally brings on a visit. But all these
devices have not yet answered. The damsels still remain, like
Shakspeare's plaintive maid, 'in single blessedness.' They do not,
however, like her, spend gloomy nights

Chaunting cold hymns to the pale, lifeless moon,

but in singing sprightlier roundelays to livelier auditors."

I punctually attended the invitation, effectually shielded from danger
by the friendly intimation, and a still more infallible AEgis, the charge
of my father never to embark in any engagement till I had made my visit
to Mr. Stanley. My veneration for his memory operated as a complete
defence.

I saw and admired the pictures. The pictures brought on an invitation to
dinner. I found Mrs. Fentham to be in her conversation, a sensible,
correct, knowing woman. Her daughters were elegant in their figures,
well instructed in the usual accomplishments, well-bred, and apparently
well tempered. Mr. Fentham was a man of business, and of the world. He
had a great income from a place under government, out of which the
expenses of his family permitted him to save nothing. Private fortune he
had little or none. His employment engaged him almost entirely, so that
he interfered but little with domestic affairs. A general air of
elegance, almost amounting to magnificence, pervaded the whole
establishment.

I at first saw but little to excit