Miss Rich. Indeed! Leaving town, sir?—
Honeyw. Yes, madam; perhaps the kingdom. I have presumed, I say, to desire the favour of this interview—in order to disclose something which our long friendship prompts. And yet my fears—
Croaker.—"It's your supreme pleasure
to give me no better consolation?"—p. 307.
Miss Rich. His fears! what are his fears to mine? Aside.—We have indeed been long acquainted, sir; very long. If I remember, our first meeting was at the French ambassador's.—Do you recollect how you were pleased to rally me upon my complexion there?
Honeyw. Perfectly, madam; I presumed to reprove you for painting: but your warmer blushes soon convinced the company that the colouring was all from nature.
Miss Rich. And yet you only meant it, in your good-natured way, to make me pay a compliment to myself. In the same manner you danced the same night with the most awkward woman in company, because you saw nobody else would take her out.
Honeyw. Yes; and was rewarded the next night, by dancing with the finest woman in company, whom every body wished to take out.
Miss Rich. Well, sir, if you thought so then, I fear your judgment has since corrected the errors of a first impression. We generally show to most advantage at first. Our sex are like poor tradesmen, that put all their best goods to be seen at the windows.
Honeyw. The first impression, madam, did, indeed, deceive me. I expected to find a woman with all the faults of conscious flattered beauty. I expected to find her vain and insolent. But every day has since taught me that it is possible to possess sense without pride, and beauty without affectation.