‘Of all things in the world, I shall enjoy the introduction and the visit; of that I am well assured; but, my dear Charles, in the ardour of your regard for me, may you not be stepping a little beyond the verge of propriety? Can you take the liberty of introducing an entire stranger to your fair friend? Surely the customs of the world, and the delicacy of the female character –’

‘How often,’ said the other gentleman, hastily interrupting his companion, ‘how often must I tell you, my dear Montgomery, that your scrupulous conscience, your fears, and your doubts, will always stand in the way of your enjoyments. The goddess of the shrine to which I am guiding you despises the customs of the world, as much as she differs from the rest of her sex. She is a being who stands unique in the scale of creation; it is wholly impossible to define her character; she acts from the impulse of taste – of whim – of what you will please to call it; she delights in patronizing genius – in being known as the liberal rewarder of talent.’

‘Genius, talent,’ returned his companion; ‘but has she discrimination to discover either?’ ‘Of what material consequence is that, my good friend? She has vanity enough to suppose that she has; and, flattered and courted by all around her, is it likely she should know her own deficiencies? She selects all her acquaintances from those whom she imagines to excel, and –’ ‘Pray, Charles, may I ask you, for what particular excellence were you placed so conspicuously on the list?’

‘Why faith, Montgomery, that question was not wholly unexpected; and you will allow, that to select my follies for the objects of praise was a rare piece of discernment in this fair damsel! You know my predilection for the stage: that, a buskin'd hero, I have frequently strutted my little hour on a theatre of village declamation, y'clept a barn.