"Heigho!" said the lady, "you are very devoted, sir."

"I should be, Madam."

"I am not worthy of so much praise."

"You are the pearl of your sex, Madam."

"Oh, no! I am only a simple young girl--but twenty-five last
January--and I have no pretensions in comparison with many others.
Immured in this quiet retreat, with a small property, and engaged in
the opprobrious occupation of cultivating the youthful mind--"

"A noble employment, Madam."

"Yes, very pleasing; with this, and with a contemplation of the
beautiful criterions of nature, I am happy."

"Fairest of your sex, is this all that is necessary for happiness?"
observed Mr. Jinks.

"What more!"

"Is solitude the proper sphere of that divine sex which in all ages of
the world--ahem!--has--"

"Oh, sir!"

And the flirting of the fan was heard.