ABSTRACT
LadyArabellaprepared her lover for the arrival of the expected strangers. ‘I would not say so to other people,’ said she, ‘because one ought to show respect to one’s relations. But to be sure the Monteiths are the very oddest creatures in the world. My brother is well enough for one of your fox-hunters, as they call them; but the lady, O! she is so fine and so sensible, and so cautious, and so – I don’t know how – vastly disagreeable; I assure you, you will be highly diverted with her: pray observe her, and tell me all you think of her; for I shall not take any thing ill that you / say. She is prodigiously wise, you must know. I hate wise people, at least such wise people as she is. Play her off; I shall be vastly entertained.’
