In the mean time, until I could receive orders, I began to avoid all sorts of company; and to live more regularly in frequenting places of worship. One day when the weather was extremely fine for walking, I quitted the town on a pilgrimage to St. Mary of the valley, an agreeable hermitage, situate about a mile distant. On my way I overtook a great concourse of people on their journey to the same spot, and the Chapel of the Saint was so crowded when I arrived, that there was scarcely room to kneel down in it. A lady, who sat two or three paces from me, observing my embarrassment, retired somewhat further back, as if by that action to make room for me next to her. I was extremely surprised at this polite attention from a female with whom I was not acquainted, and who, I thought, could not know me; and in spite of my affected gravity, I could not help fixing my eyes on her elegant figure, doubting not, from her dress and demeanour that she was a lady of some consequence. She carefully concealed her face from me, darting, however, an occasional glance at me with one eye, which pierced my very soul. I took possession of the vacant place near her, and wishing to testify my gratitude in some compliment I said in a whisper: “How dangerous is this politeness!” “I can scarcely think that you can be afraid of it,” said she in the same tone. I dared not reply for fear of being overheard by the ladies who sat by her, and seemed to be of her party. I looked at them all attentively, and in one of them I recognized the widow of one Dr. Gracia, a physician, a lady already in years, and who kept a boarding house in the town. I knew that she had three daughters who were called the three Graces, as well on account of the name of their father, as of their lovely persons. I had now no doubt that the lady whom I had just spoken to, must be one of these three celebrated sisters; and as report boasted particularly of the beauty and wit of the eldest, I could not help wishing that it might be her; a wish, however, which I could not entertain without considerable alarm for my heart. With the reputation of being extremely pretty, these young ladies had not the character of being Vestals. This was not much to be wondered at, Doctor Gracia having left his affairs in such a state as obliged his widow to take in boarders for a livelihood. If slander does not even spare young ladies brought up with the utmost severity, how could it possibly respect our three Graces, who were eternally surrounded with gallants? their father had been a man of pleasure, and had caused them to be instructed in music and other accomplishments; more intent upon fitting them for society, than forming their minds to virtue. I was perfectly well acquainted with all this; and they on their side knew well who I was. They had heard that I was well versed in music, that I had plenty of money, and a peculiar talent in spending it. These excellent