Strap communicates to me a conquest he had made of a Chandler's Widow--finds himself miserably mistaken--I go to the Opera--admire Melinda--am cautioned by Banter--go to the Assembly at Hampstead--dance with that young lady--receive an insolent message from Bragwell, whose mettle is soon cooled--am in favour with my Mistress, whom I visit next day, and am bubbled out of eighteen guineas at cards--Strap triumphs at my success, but is astonished at my expense--Banter comes to my lodging, is very sarcastic at my expense, and borrows five guineas from me, as a proof of his friendship In the morning, before I got up, Strap came into my chamber, and, finding me awake, hemmed several times, scratched his head, cast his eyes upon the ground, and, with a very foolish kind of simper upon his face gave me to understand he had something to communicate.

"By your countenance," said I, "I expect to hear good tidings." "Indifferently," replied he, tittering, "that is, hereafter as it shall be.

You must know, I have some thoughts of altering my condition." "What!" cried I, astonished, "a matrimonial scheme?
O rare Strap! thou hast got the heels of me at last." "N--no less, I assure you," said he, bursting into a laugh of self-approbation: "a tallow chandler's widow that lives hard by, has taken a liking to me, a fine jolly dame, as plump as a partridge.

She has a well-furnished house, a brisk trade, and a good deal of the ready.

I may have her for the asking.