He told her he was very unhappy in not having any thing that suited her fancy—­that, if she knew what particular things would please her, he would have them in two hours’ time for her, if all the French and Italian merchants’ warehouses in London, or all the weavers’ looms in Spitalfields, could furnish them.  But when that would not do, she comes forward from his back shop, where she had plagued him about an hour and a half; and makes him the slight compliment of (in a kind of a scornful tone too), ‘I am sorry I have given you so much trouble.’

’The trouble, madam, is nothing; it is my misfortune not to please you; but, as to trouble, my business is to oblige the ladies, my customers; if I show my goods, I may sell them; if I do not show them, I cannot; if it is not a trouble to you, I’ll show you every piece of goods in my shop; if you do not buy now, you may perhaps buy another time.’  And thus, in short, he pursued her with all the good words in the world, and waited on her towards the door.

As she comes forward, there she spied the city lady, who had just used the partner as the lady had used the chief master; and there, as if it had been by mere chance, she salutes her with, ’Your servant, cousin; pray, what brought you here?’ The cousin answers, ’Madam, I am mighty glad to see your ladyship here; I have been haggling here a good while, but this gentleman and I cannot bargain, and I was just going away.’

‘Why, then,’ says the lady, ’you have been just such another customer as I, for I have troubled the gentleman mercer this two hours, and I cannot meet with any thing to my mind.’  So away they go together to the door; and the lady gets the mercer to send one of his servants to bid her coachman drive to the door, showing him where the fellow stood.

While the boy was gone, she takes the city lady aside, and talking softly, the mercer and his partner, seeing them talk together, withdrew, but waited at a distance to be ready to hand them to the coach.  So they began a new discourse, as follows:—­

Lady.—­Well, I am satisfied this man has been ill used in the world.

Cit.—­Why, Madam, how does your ladyship find him?

Lady.—­Only the most obliging, most gentleman-like man of a tradesman that ever I met with in my life.

Cit.—­But did your ladyship try him as you said you would?

Lady.—­Try him!  I believe he has tumbled three thousand pounds’ worth of goods for me.

Cit.—­Did you oblige him to do so?

Lady.—­I forced him to it, indeed, for I liked nothing.

Cit.—­Is he well stocked with goods?

Lady.—­I told him his shop was ill furnished.

Cit.—­What did he say to that?

Lady.—­Say! why he carried me into another inner shop, or warehouse, where he had goods to a surprising quantity and value, I confess.