Page:Pleasures of matrimony (2).pdf/4

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

4

to a kiss, and a gracious smile from his mistress. After that he has just shewed himself, and talked idly to her about half an hour, what a pleasure is it to him at his departure to oblige her maid with the king’s picture, which causes her to give such a character of him, especially if the picture happens to be set in gold, as he begets in the young woman an affection towards him; which if he comes to know at the second meeting, it is impossible to describe the transports it puts him into; it inspires such joy in his breast that he can scarce tell where he is, or what he does. But at his departure, he scarce forgets to double his generosity to the maid, as she gives her promise of further services to him. Nor is the young baggage worse than her word, for she too well knows her own interest: and therefore, in about a day or two, Dear Mistress, says she, you cannot imagine where I have been this morning! No, says the young gentlewoman how should I? Why, says she, I have been at the conjuror’s, but you cannot think what a man he is! I did but ask whether such a gentleman courted my mistress? and casting his eyes on his book, he told, me he did and described him so exactly, that no painter could have drawn his picture better; and besides that, he told me that this was the very man, and no other, whom fortune