I shall not trouble myself to deny any thing about them, madam, said Miss Glanville; for I never heard of them before; and really I do not choose to be always talking of queens and princesses, as if I thought none but such great people were worthy my notice: it looks so affected, I should imagine every one laughed at me that heard me.
Since you are so very scrupulous, returned Arabella, that you dare not imitate the sublimest among mortals, I can furnish you with many examples, from the conduct of persons whose quality was not much superior to yours, which may reconcile you to an action, you at present, with so little reason, condemn: and to name but one among some thousands, the fair Cleonice, the most rigid and austere beauty in all Sardis, paid several visits to the passionate Ligdamis, when his melancholy, at the ill success of his passion, threw him into a fever, that confined him to his bed.
And pray, madam, who was that Cleonice? said Miss Glanville: and where did she live?
In Sardis, I tell you, said Arabella, in the kingdom of Lydia.
Oh! then it is not in our kingdom, said Miss Glanville: what signifies what foreigners do? I shall never form my conduct upon the example of outlandish people; what is common enough in their countries would be very particular here; and you can never persuade me, that it is seemly for ladies to pay visits to men in their beds.
A lady, said Arabella, extremely angry at her cousin's obstinacy, who will suffer men to press her hand, write to her, and talk to her of love, ought to be ashamed of such an affected niceness as that you pretend to.
I insist upon it, madam, said Miss Glanville, that all those innocent liberties you rail at may be taken by any woman without giving the world room to censure her: but, without being very bold and impudent, she cannot go to see men in their beds; a freedom that only becomes a sister or near relation.
So then, replied Arabella, reddening with vexation, you will persist in affirming the divine Mandana was impudent?
If she made such indiscreet visits as those, she was, said Miss Glanville.
Oh, heavens! cried Arabella, have I lived to hear the most illustrious princess that ever was in the world so shamefully reflected on?