For upwards of six months after my Bessy had surrendered her heart to me I had no eyes for any one but her; and I really do believe that but for her own violence upon an occasion the particulars of which I am now going to relate, I should have preserved my faith to her inviolate even for a much longer period.
I had obtained some celebrity for singing a popular serenade, and being engaged at the M- Assembly Rooms, I was earnestly requested by several parties to favour them with this particular song, although it did not form a portion of the evening's programme. I complied and was honoured with a universal encore, after which (having the privilege of mingling with the company), I was overwhelmed with compliments sufficient to intoxicate the brains of more eminent professors than myself; but to me they were valueless; my thoughts were wandering homewards: so that I gained the approbation of my dark-eyed Bessy I was satisfied. And if I really did indulge a wish on this occasion it was that she were present to share my triumph. Yet, notwithstanding this feeling, I could not close my ears to the expressions of admiration which burst from the male portion of this elegant assembly as a young lady glided, with an air of exquisite grace and majesty through the mazes of the dance (for, I should have mentioned, the concert was succeeded by a ball). These praises were for some time unnoticed by me until after paying frequent visits to the anteroom, where the choicest wines were to be found in abundance and every variety and of which, at the pressing solicitations of several gentlemen, I had freely partaken, the sparks of curiosity which had lain dormant within me during the evening suddenly burst into a flame-fanned no doubt by the undulating breath which wafted them so often to my ears; at length, I put this question to an admiring bystander:
"And pray, sir, who is this surprising beauty that has succeeded in captivating the hearts of so many gentlemen in the midst of this phalanx of female loveliness?"
"As to who she is," he answered, "I really can give you no information; but what she is, of that yourself may judge, for see how gracefully she now glides past us."
My eyes followed the direction of his finger and rested upon the form of certainly the most beautiful girl who adorned the rooms that evening. She was rather above the middle stature, her figure graceful in the extreme; complexion delicately fair; large blue eyes, with dark lashes sufficiently long to shade the dazzling rays that at intervals darted from them; her light brown hair hung in thick clustering and luxuriant ringlets down her lovely neck and rested on her naked shoulders; her dress was of the simplest fashion but of the most costly materials, being composed of white satin with no other embellishment than a sash of broad pink ribbon which encircled her beautiful waist; a wreath of roses, white and red, adorned her ivory brows; and white satin slippers of a peculiar form graced a pair of feet so exquisitely moulded by the pure hand of nature, as if, when in her most liberal mood, she had determined to favour the world with a specimen of absolute perfection. A row of pearls of unusual size encompassed her heavenly neck, from which a cross of diamonds hung suspended, resting upon a bosom the beauties of which would baffle the most able pen to convey the most remote idea of; I therefore leave it to the imagination of my readers; for, in the language of the poet, Grace was in all her steps; heaven in her eyes;
In every gesture dignity and love.
I could not withhold my meed of admiration as this perfect creature glided past me; but such was the extent of the fascinating influence which Bessy possessed over my heart that my bosom harboured nothing resembling a desire to become better acquainted with the majestic fair one who seemed an object of idolatry to every gentleman who had the good fortune to be present at the assembly upon this occasion.
As dancing was kept up with great spirit till near daybreak, and I found it absolutely impossible to steal away without giving offence to several of my best patrons, about the hour of three in the morning I was proceeding to the anteroom in order to procure some slight refreshment when my progress was arrested by the light pressure of a hand placed gently on my shoulder; as I turned my eyes they encountered those of that beautiful enslaver of the hearts of more than half the company; she held a glass of red wine in her hand, of which, in a tone of the most affable sweetness, she invited me to partake, at the same time congratulating me on the applause with which my vocal exertions had been rewarded; she expressed her own admiration of the words and music of the serenade before mentioned and of which she declared she would willingly pay any reasonable sum to acquire a knowledge.
As I was framing a suitable reply an exquisite of the first water approached and reminded her of a promise which she had previously made to become his partner in the ensuing dance; he took her hand and with a graceful inclination of the head she turned from me.
I shortly after left the assembly and proceeding home thought no more of the adventure.
The following morning, having an engagement to sing in the evening at a concert to be held at the G- Tavern in Fleet Street, I had dined at an early hour, after which I indulged in a stroll through the pleasant fields in the vicinity of the Chalk Farm. As I approached my residence on returning, I called upon a neighbouring perfumer who was in the habit of arranging my hair in the fashionable mode customary upon these occasions; this operation duly performed, I was proceeding home with the intention of dressing for the business of the evening when I heard my name pronounced; on turning towards the spot from whence the voice proceeded I beheld a young female, very respectably attired, certainly, but in a style particularly plain and unassuming, having more the appearance of what might be worn by an upper servant in a gentleman's family than of one in any other station I could well imagine; in her hand she carried a bundle of some magnitude. Having inquired in the most familiar terms as to my health, etc., after several ineffectual endeavours to call to my recollection when or where I had seen her before, I begged she would inform me whom I had the honour of addressing, as she most decidedly had the advantage of me.
She good-naturedly rallied me on the shallowness of my memory and playfully expressed her astonishment that I had no recollection of her; but when, after a few moments' conversation during which she recalled to mind the particulars of our former meeting, judge my surprise on discovering the disguised beauty before me to be none other than the admired goddess of the previous evening's assembly.
I at first resisted her pressing importunities to accompany her to a neighbouring tavern, but as she flatly declared she would not leave me unless I consented to drink her health, I reluctantly complied with her request.
She then placed her arm in mine, and seeing a superior-looking public house, within a few yards of where we were standing, we entered it together.
On requesting to know what kind of beverage she preferred, she claimed the privilege of invitation, to ask the same question of me; and all that I could urge to the contrary, would not induce her to forego the right.