mighty clever fellow, I thought I showed away, when I said any foolish
things that had more sound than sense in them; and when I made silly
jests, which attracted the smiles of thy Sinclair, and the specious
Partington: and that Miss Harlowe did not smile too, I thought was owing
to her youth or affectation, or to a mixture of both, perhaps to a
greater command of her features.--Little dreamt I, that I was incurring
her contempt all the time.

But when, as I said, I heard her speak, which she did not till she had
fathomed us all; when I heard her sentiments on two or three subjects,
and took notice of the searching eye, darting into the very inmost cells
of our frothy brains; by my faith, it made me look about me; and I began
to recollect, and be ashamed of all I had said before; in short, was
resolved to sit silent, till every one had talked round, to keep my folly
in countenance. And then I raised the subjects that she could join in,
and which she did join in, so much to the confusion and surprise of every
one of us!--For even thou, Lovelace, so noted for smart wit, repartee,
and a vein of raillery, that delighteth all who come near thee, sattest
in palpable darkness, and lookedst about thee, as well as we.

One instance only of this shall I remind thee of.

We talked of wit, and of it, and aimed at it, bandying it like a ball
from one to another, and resting it chiefly with thee, who wert always
proud enough and vain enough of the attribute; and then more especially
as thou hadst assembled us, as far as I know, principally to show the
lady thy superiority over us; and us thy triumph over her. And then
Tourville (who is always satisfied with with at second-hand; wit upon
memory: other men's wit) repeated some verses, as applicable to the
subject; which two of us applauded, though full of double entendre.