Beverley for a playfellow, who can wonder that he anticipates in
youth the hopeless wishes of age?"

Here Miss Larolles, who was one of that numerous tribe of young
ladies to whom all conversation is irksome in which they are not
themselves engaged, quitted her place, of which Mr Gosport,
Cecilia's new acquaintance, immediately took possession.

"Is it utterly impossible," continued this gentleman, "that I should
assist in procuring Mr Arnott such a renovation? Is there no
subaltern part I can perform to facilitate the project? for I will
either _hide_ or _seek_ with any boy in the parish; and
for a _Q in the corner_, there is none more celebrated."

"I have no doubt, sir," answered Cecilia, "of your accomplishments;
and I should be not a little entertained with the surprize of the
company if you could persuade yourself to display them." "And what,"
cried he, "could the company do half so well as to rise also, and
join in the sport? it would but interrupt some tale of scandal, or
some description of a _toupee_. Active wit, however despicable
when compared with intellectual, is yet surely better than the
insignificant click-clack of modish conversation," casting his eyes
towards Miss Larolles, "or even the pensive dullness of affected
silence," changing their direction towards Miss Leeson.

Cecilia, though surprised at an attack upon the society her friend
had selected, by one who was admitted to make a part of it, felt its
justice too strongly to be offended at its severity.

"I have often wished," he continued, "that when large parties are