We succeeded. The entertainment was like that of a young lover who was desirous to please, and the guests received it as if ignorant of any bad motive. We were extremely well amused. As the mother had not her harp with her, her daughter and I were obliged to sing without music, sometimes together, and sometimes alternately, exchanging slily the most tender looks; mine with the view of expressing my passion, and hers to increase it. Night insensibly surprised us in the garden, and whilst the hostess, out of complaisance for me, held the mother in conversation, I courted the daughter, who did not seem to listen with indifference to my empassioned declaration: at last, being obliged to return to town, I waited on the ladies to their lodgings, where, as a special favour, they granted me half an hour’s conversation, after which I took my leave, as much in love, as I thought, with my new mistress, as I had been with any other before.
The next day I sent the young lady a most pathetic billet-doux by my hostess, but she returned no answer; to have received it, however, unknown to her mother, was a favour of itself. I wrote another, which I gently put into her own hand in the evening when the ladies were again treated at my expence. This time I had an answer; very short indeed, for there were but two lines of no real import, but in which I fancied I discovered an infinite deal of wit. Thus they made me dispute every inch of ground to increase my desires, or, to tell the truth, all the parts were so well acted in this intrigue, by my good hostess, that she knew how to manage each party to her own advantage, just as she pleased. However, I became every day more and more intimate with my fair neighbour. I scarcely ever stirred out of the house, so charmed was I with her company. The mother often went out, as she said, to make interest respecting her law-suit, and when that happened, my officious confidante gave me notice of it, and without ceremony would conduct me to the daughter, with whom I staid while she was at her toilet; and lest the facility of enjoying such favourable opportunities should lessen the charms of them, she would every now and then disturb us by false alarms of the mother’s return.