provided music and refreshments, and intended that night giving
the young ladies a ball by moon-light, on the grass-plot before
our door. 'Nor can I deny,' continued he, 'but I have an interest
in being first to deliver this message, as I expect for my reward
to be honoured with miss Sophy's hand as a partner.' To this my
girl replied, that she should have no objection, if she could do
it with honour: 'But here,' continued she, 'is a gentleman,'
looking at Mr Burchell, 'who has been my companion in the task
for the day, and it is fit he should share in its amusements.' Mr
Burchell returned her a compliment for her intentions; but
resigned her up to the chaplain, adding that he was to go that
night five miles, being invited to an harvest supper. His refusal
appeared to me a little extraordinary, nor could I conceive how
so sensible a girl as my youngest, could thus prefer a man of
broken fortunes to one whose expectations were much greater. But
as men are most capable of distinguishing merit in women, so the
ladies often form the truest judgments of us. The two sexes seem
placed as spies upon each other, and are furnished with different
abilities, adapted for mutual inspection.



CHAPTER 9

Two ladies of great distinction introduced. Superior finery ever
seems to confer superior breeding


Mr Burchell had scarce taken leave, and Sophia consented to dance
with the chaplain, when my little ones came running out to tell