Belinda was silent; but, after a pause, she said, "That it was certainly
very dangerous, especially for women, to trust to fancy in bestowing their
affections." "And yet," said Lady Anne, "it is a danger to which they are
much exposed in society. Men have it in their power to assume the
appearance of every thing that is amiable and estimable, and women have
scarcely any opportunities of detecting the counterfeit."

"Without Ithuriel's spear, how can they distinguish the good from the
evil?" said Belinda. "This is a common-place complaint, I know; the ready
excuse that we silly young women plead, when we make mistakes for which
our friends reproach us, and for which we too often reproach ourselves."

"The complaint is common-place precisely because it is general and just,"
replied Lady Anne. "In the slight and frivolous intercourse, which
fashionable belles usually have with those fashionable beaux who call
themselves their lovers, it is surprising that they can discover any thing
of each other's real character. Indeed they seldom do; and this probably
is the cause why there are so many unsuitable and unhappy marriages. A
woman who has an opportunity of seeing her lover in private society, in
domestic life, has infinite advantages; for if she has any sense, and he
has any sincerity, the real character of both may perhaps be developed."

"True," said Belinda (who now suspected that Lady Anne alluded to Mr.
Vincent); "and in such a situation a woman would readily be able to decide
whether the man who addressed her would suit her taste or not; so she
would be inexcusable if, either from vanity or coquetry, she disguised her
real sentiments."

"And will Miss Portman, who cannot, by any one to whom she is known, be