ABSTRACT
‘Upon my word,’ said Arbella, to Matilda, ‘I think our different stories might make the subject of a pretty moral dissertation entitled, “Advantages of Circumspection, or Dangers of Coquetry.” Here have you, after the most distressing reverse of fortune, transformed into an adorer, the relation whom at first you feared to meet! converted into the warmest friend, the man you refused, (for you will not deny that you refused Sowerby), and obtained the friendship and esteem, even of your rival, in the most difficult and trying circumstance of your life. While I, with as flattering prospects as ever opened to the vanity of woman; after thinking I had my choice of three, each in their way, let me tell you, valuable admirers, may as well, I think, go and make my best curtsey to my cousin Sam, and beg of him to forget the past, and take me for pity; for I really begin to believe, after all, that Spencer won’t have me. Well, we must confess, in the manner you have conducted every thing, you have been extremely fortunate.’
