8. The pretty, and witty, and virtuous _Simplicia_, was, the other day,
visiting with an old aunt of her's, that I verily believe has read the
_Atalantis_; she took a story out there, and dressed up an old honest
neighbour in the second hand clothes of scandal. The young creature hid
her face with her fan at every burst and peal of laughter, and blushed
for her guilty parent; by which she atoned, methought, for every scandal
that ran round the beautiful circle.

9. As I was going home to bed that evening, I could not help thinking of
her all the way I went. I represented her to myself as shedding holy
blood every time she blushed, and as being a martyr in the cause of
virtue. And afterwards, when I was putting on my night-cap, I could not
drive the thought out of my head, but that I was young enough to be
married to her; and that it would be an addition to the reputation I
have in the study of wisdom, to marry to so much youth and modesty, even
in my old age.

10. I know there have not been wanting many wicked objections against
this virtue; one is grown insufferably common. The fellow blushes, he is
guilty. I should say rather, He blushes, therefore he is innocent. I
believe the same man, that first had that wicked imagination of a blush
being the sign of guilt, represented good nature to be folly; and that
he himself, was the most inhuman and impudent wretch alive.

11. The author of _Cato_, who is known to be one of the most modest, and
most ingenious persons of the age we now live in, has given this virtue
a delicate name in the tragedy of _Cato_, where the character of
_Marcia_ is first opened to us. I would have all ladies who have a mind
to be thought well-bred, to think seriously on this virtue, which he so