part of the day in company with Strap and some
of his acquaintance, I came home in the afternoon, and was let in by
miss, who not knowing me, dropped a low curtsey as I advanced, which
I returned with a profound bow, and shut the door. By the time I had
turned about, she had perceived her mistake, and changed colour, but
did not withdraw. The passage being narrow, I could not get away without
jolting her; so I was forced to remain where I was with my eyes fixed
to the ground, and my face glowing with blushes. At length, her vanity
coming to her assistance, she went away tittering, and I could hear her
pronounce the word 'creature!' From this day forward, she came into the
shop fifty times, every day upon various pretences, and put in practice
so many ridiculous airs, that I could easily perceive her opinion of
me was changed, and that she did not think me altogether an unworthy
conquest. But my heart was so steeled against her charms by pride and
resentment, which were two chief ingredients in my disposition, that I
remained insensible to all her arts; and notwithstanding some advances
she made, could not be prevailed upon to yield her the least attention.
This neglect soon banished all the favourable impressions she felt for
me, and the rage of a slighted woman took place in her heart; this she
manifested not only in all the suggestions her malice could invent to
my prejudice with her father, but also in procuring for me such servile
employments as she hoped would sufficiently humble my spirit. One day in
particular, she ordered me to brush my master's coat; but I refusing, a
smart dialogue ensued, which ended in her bursting into tears of rage;
when her mother interposing, and examining into the merits of the cause,
determined it in my favour: and this good office I owed not to any
esteem or consideration she had for me, but solely to the desire of
mortifying her daughter, who on this occasion observed, that let people
be never so much in the right, there were some folks who would never do
them justice, but, to be sure, they had their reasons for it, which some
people were ignorant of, although they despised their little arts. This
insinuation of some people and some folks put me upon observing the
behaviour of my mistress more narrowly for the future: and it was not
long before I had reason to believe that she looked upon her daughter as
a rival in the affections of Captain O'Donnell, who lodged in the house.

In the