“Come Harley,” said Mr. Kimmy, “I must have you dance, I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”
“I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room, whom it would not be a punishment for me to stand up with.”
“I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Kimmy, “for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.”
“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Harley, looking at Angelina, the eldest Miss Bennet. “She has a pleasing face, but I find she has a disposition to smile too much, a fault that is unfortunate, for it stretches her face.”
“Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say, agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”
“Which do you mean?” and turning around, he looked for a moment at Ailee, till catching her eye, he promptly turned away and coldly said, “ she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”
Mr. Kimmy followed his advice. Mr. Harley walked off; and Ailee remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story however with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.
. . . till next time folks! | 