a fine lady of her niece tended to produce an effect diametrically
opposite to what might have been expected. The result of Belinda's
reflections upon Lady Delacour's history was a resolution to benefit by
her bad example; but this resolution it was more easy to form than to
keep. Her ladyship, where she wished to please or to govern, had
fascinating manners, and could alternately use the sarcastic powers of
wit, and the fond tone of persuasion, to accomplish her purposes. It was
Belinda's intention, in pursuance of her new plans of life, to spend,
whilst she remained in London, as little money as possible upon
superfluities and dress. She had, at her own disposal, only 100l. per
annum, the interest of her fortune; but besides this, her aunt, who was
desirous that she should go to court, and make a splendid figure there,
had sent her a draught on her banker for two hundred guineas. "You will, I
trust," said her aunt, at the conclusion of the letter, "repay me when you
are established in the world; as I hope and believe, from what I hear from
Lady Delacour of the power of your charms, you will soon be, to the entire
satisfaction of all your friends. Pray do not neglect to mention my friend
Clarence Hervey particularly when you write next. I understand from one
who is well acquainted with him, and who has actually seen his rent-roll,
that he has a clear 10,000l. a year."

Belinda resolved neither to go to court, nor to touch her aunt's two
hundred guineas; and she wrote a long letter to her, in which she
explained her feelings and views at large. In this letter she meant to
have returned Mrs. Stanhope's draught, but her feelings and views changed
between the writing of this epistle and the going out of the post. Mrs.
Franks, the milliner, came in the interim, and brought home Lady
Delacour's beautiful dress: it was not the sight of this, however, which
changed Belinda's mind; but she could not resist Lady Delacour's raillery.