With _Philibella_ he found another pretty young Creature, very like her,
who had been a _quondam_ Mistress to Sir _Philip_: He, with young
_Goodland_, was then diverting his Mistress and Niece at a Game at
Cards, when _Would-be_ came to visit him; he found ’em very merry, with
a Flask or two of Claret before ’em, and Oranges roasting by a large
Fire, for it was _Christmas-time_. The Lady _Friendly_ understanding
that this extraordinary Man was with Sir _Philip_ in the Parlour, came
in to ’em, to make the number of both Sexes equal, as well as in Hopes
to make up a Purse of Guineas toward the Purchase of some new fine
Business that she had in her Head, from his accustom’d Design of losing
at Play to her. Indeed, she had Part of her Wish, for she got twenty
Guineas of him; _Philibella_ ten; and _Lucy_, Sir _Philip’s_ quondam,
five: Not but that _Would-be_ intended better Fortune to the young ones,
than he did to Sir _Philip’s_ Lady; but her Ladyship was utterly
unwilling to give him over to their Management, tho’ at the last, when
they were all tir’d with the Cards, after _Would-be_ had said as many
obliging things as his present Genius would give him leave, to
_Philibella_ and _Lucy_, especially to the first, not forgetting his
Baisemains to the Lady _Friendly_, he bid the Knight and _Goodland_
adieu; but with a Promise of repeating his Visit at six a-clock in the
Evening on _Twelfth-Day_, to renew the famous and antient Solemnity of
chusing King and Queen; to which Sir _Philip_ before invited him, with a
Design yet unknown to you, I hope.
As soon as he was gone, every one made their Remarks on him, but with
very little or no Difference in all their Figures of him. In short, all
Mankind, had they ever known him, would have universally agreed in this
his Character, That he was an Original; since nothing in Humanity was
ever so vain, so haughty, so profuse, so fond, and so ridiculously
ambitious, as Mr. _Would-be King_. They laugh’d and talk’d about an Hour
longer, and then young _Goodland_ was oblig’d to see _Lucy_ home in his
Coach; tho’ he had rather have sat up all Night in the same House with
_Philibella_, I fancy, of whom he took but an unwilling Leave; which was
visible enough to every one there, since they were all acquainted with
his Passion for my fair Friend.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account