On my entrance into the room, I had the satisfaction to
hear a buzz of approbation run through the whole company
which now consisted of four gentlemen, including my parti-
cular (this was the cant-term of the house for one's gallant
for the time), the three young women, in a neat flowing
dishabille, the mistress of the academy, and myself. I was
welcomed and saluted by a kiss all round, in which, however,
it was easy to discover, in the superior warmth of that of
the men, the distinction of the sexes.
Aw'd and confounded as I was at seeing myself sur-
rounded, caress'd, and made court to by so many strangers,
I could not immediately familiarize myself to all that air
of gaiety and joy which dictated their compliments, and
animated their caresses.
They assur'd me that I was so perfectly to their taste
as to have but one fault against me, which I might easily be
cur'd of, and that was my modesty: this, they observ'd, might
pass for a beauty the more with those who wanted it for a
heightener; but their maxim was, that it was an impertinent
mixture, and dash'd the cup so as to spoil the sincere draught
of pleasure; they consider'd it accordingly as their mortal
enemy, and gave it no quarter wherever they met with it.
This was a prologue not unworthy of the revels that ensu'd.
In the midst of all the frolic and wantonnesses, which
this joyous band had presently, and all naturally, run into,
an elegant supper was serv'd in, and we sat down to it, my
spark-elect placing himself next to me, and the other couples
without order or ceremony.
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