"To your partner, I presume, Madam?" said he, very gravely.
This quite confounded me; I dreaded lest this mischievous man, ignorant of his rank, should address himself to Lord Orville, and say something which might expose my artifice. Fool! to involve myself in such difficulties! I now feared what I had before wished, and, therefore, to avoid Lord Orville, I was obliged myself to propose going down another dance, though I was ready to sink with shame while I spoke.
"But your partner, Ma'am?" (said he, affecting a very solemn air) "perhaps he may resent my detaining you: if you will give me leave to ask his consent—"
"Not for the universe."
"Who is he, Madam?"
I wished myself a hundred miles off. He repeated his question. "What is his name?"
"Nothing—nobody—I don't know.—"
He assumed a most important solemnity; "How!—not know? Give me leave, my dear Madam, to recommend this caution to you; never dance in public with a stranger,—with one whose name you are unacquainted with,—who may be a mere adventurer,—a man of no character,—consider to what impertinence you may expose yourself."Was
