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dance with her at the next assembly. Banter, in a whisper, gave me to understand that she was an incorrigible coquette, who would grant the same favour to any young fellow in England, of a tolerable appearance merely to engage him among the herd of her admirers. I repaired to Hampstead, in company with Billy Chalter, and my Lord Hubble. Here I saw a very brilliant assembly, before whom I had the honour to walk a minuet with Melinda. Before the country-dances began, I received a message by a person I did not know from Bragwell who was present importing that nobody who knew him presumed to dance with Melinda, while he was there in person. This extraordinary intimation, which was delivered in the lady's hearing, did not at all discompose me, who, by this time, was pretty well acquainted with the character of my (illegible text). I therefore without (illegible text) (illegible text) symptom of concern, bid the gentleman tell Mr. Bragwell that while I was so happy as to obtain the lady's consent, I should not be solicitous about his. While we danced, I observed this formidable rival at one end of the room, encircled with a a cluster of beaux. As soon as I had handed my partner to her seat, I strutted up to the place where he stood, and cocking my hat in his face, demanded aloud if he had any thing to say to me. He answered with a sullen tone, Nothing at present Sir; turning
