“I beg, then, Madam,” said Miss Stapylton, “you will open the cause, be the subject what it will.  And I could almost wish, that we had as many gentlemen here as ladies, who would have reason to be ashamed of the liberties they take in censuring the conversations of the tea-table; since the pulpit, as the worthy dean gives us reason to hope, may be beholden to that of Mrs. B.”

“Nor is it much wonder,” replied I, “when the dean himself is with us, and it is graced by so distinguished a circle.”

“If many of our young gentlemen, were here,” said Mrs. Towers, “they might improve themselves in all the graces of polite and sincere complaisance.  But, compared to this, I have generally heard such trite and coarse stuff from our race of would-be wits, that what they say may be compared to the fawnings and salutations of the ass in the fable, who, emulating the lap-dog, merited a cudgel rather than encouragement.

“But, Mrs. B.,” continued she, “begin, I pray you, to open and proceed in the cause; for there will be no counsel employed but you, I can tell you.”

“Then give me a subject that will suit me, ladies, and you shall see how my obedience to your commands will make me run on.”

“Will you, Madam,” said Miss Stapylton, “give us a few cautions and instructions on a theme of your own, that a young lady should rather fear too much than hope too much?  A necessary doctrine, perhaps; but a difficult one to be practised by one who has begun to love, and who supposes all truth and honour in the object of her favour.”

“Hope, Madam,” said I, “in my opinion, should never be unaccompanied by fear; and the more reason will a lady ever have to fear, and to suspect herself, and doubt her lover, when she once begins to find in her own breast an inclination to him.  For then her danger is doubled, since she has herself (perhaps the more dangerous enemy of the two) to guard against, as well as him.

“She may secretly wish the best indeed:  but what has been the fate of others may be her own; and though she thinks it not probable, from such a faithful protester, as he appears to her to be, yet, while it is possible, she should never be off her guard:  nor will a prudent woman trust to his mercy or honour; but to her own discretion:  and the rather, because, if he mean well, he himself will value her the more for her caution, since every man desires to have a virtuous and prudent wife; if not well, she will detect him the sooner, and so, by her prudence, frustrate all his base designs.