Mr. Hervey is--is not a marrying man; and a woman of your penetration must
see that--that he only means to flirt with me. I am not a match for Mr.
Hervey in any respect. He is a man of wit and gallantry--I am unpractised
in the ways of the world. I was not educated by my aunt Stanhope--I have
only been with her a few years--I wish I had never been with her in my
life."

"I'll take care Mr. Hervey shall know that," said Lady Delacour; "but in
the mean time I do think any fair appraiser of delicate distresses would
decide that I am, all the circumstances considered, more to be pitied at
this present moment than you are: for the catastrophe of the business
evidently is, that I must pay two hundred guineas for the horses somehow
or other."

"I can pay for them," exclaimed Belinda, "and will with the greatest
pleasure. I will not go to the birthnight--my dress is not bespoke. Will
two hundred guineas pay for the horses? Oh, take the money--pay Mr.
Hervey, dear Lady Delacour, and it will all be right."

"You are a charming girl," said Lady Delacour, embracing her; "but how can
I answer for it to my conscience, or to your aunt Stanhope, if you don't
appear on the birthnight? That cannot be, my dear; besides, you know Mrs.
Franks will send home your drawing-room dress to-day, and it would be so
foolish to be presented for nothing--not to go to the birthnight
afterwards. If you say _a_ you must say _b."_

"Then," said Belinda, "I will not go to the drawing-room."--"Not go, my
dear! What! throw away fifty guineas for nothing! Really I never saw any
one so lavish of her money, and so economic of her smiles."