by no means get away. So irksome was I to his bosom that, instead of going to rest after receiving his dismissal, he knocked up the leading member of the Opposition; but he had the - mortification to learn that I had got the start of him several hours before. The fact was:Mrs. Secondhand had shewn so much alacrity and zeal for her lady's reputation, even to the disregard of her own,- that it was necessary (we believe too that it is usual on all such oc casions) to make her some present by way of return. Her grace had accordingly given her a sarsnet dress, scarcely worn, and if the colonel's heart ached to disburthen itself of me, Mrs. Secondhand's back itched to burthen itself with her new finery. When ladies give themselves liberties, their confidantes will take them; so that her grace's back was no sooner turned than Mrs. Secondhand equipped herself, sent one of the stable-helpers to fetch a chair, and went to pay a visit to the lady's maid of a neighbouring family; or rather to Mr. Thomas, the footman, who was one, and perhaps, the most favoured of her gallants.

Tom's master, as well as the gallant colonel,

was also of the opposition party: and he had ordered Tom to insinuate himself into the good graces of Mrs. Secondhand, who was known to possess the confidence of her mistress, the duchess of Cowheel, who was famed for her influence over the duke her husband, who enjoyed a seat in the Privy Council, by which means his master hoped to learn all that passed there, and to gain great credit with his party for his ready and certain information. Tom was an arch, wheedling dog, and a match, single-handed, for any lady's maid, which generally required three or four of his particoloured brethren to be. He no sooner espied Mrs. Secondhand, than he discerned importance in her looks: her new dress partly told him the cause of it." She is on high ropes," said Tom to himself, "and it will take me some time to bring the jade down again; but I will effect it, or be content to be set down as a driveller."

He advanced towards her with a most familiar air-as familiar as if he had not noticed her new feathers,-crying out:- My dear Mrs. Secondband! — Well, I protest this is really kind of

you to walk out in such plebeian weather to see us."

"Walk indeed! and to see us that is, you I suppose?-[Tom nodded and smiled.]-Impertinent enough!" continued Mrs. Secondhand with a toss of her head; "I neither walked, nor did I come to see you.'

"Nay, I hope, Mrs. Secondhand, that no accident has happened to your leg,-your foot I mean; no bruise, sprain, or chilblains."

"No matter said Mrs. Second-hand, ready to burst with spite; "it is enough for you that I have already told you, that I neither walked, nor came to see you.'

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"I never believe more than half of what the world says, my dear Mrs. Secondhand! and so as to your coming in a hackney-coach, [Mrs. Secondhand had nearly splintered her fan to pieces,] I am inclined to give credit to that; but as to your not coming to see me, I could as soon swallow St. Paul's as that."

"Mr. Thomas, you are really a perter coxcomb than ever."

And, Mrs. Secondhand, you are really a greater beauty than ever; and if it were not more

through policy than the attraction of her charms, I should certainly withdraw my devoirs from Miss Tawdry, at Viscount Sheeptrotter's, and bestow them on yourself."

"The triumph would be glorious for me," said Mrs. Secondhand, with an affected courtesy; "but, pray, may I not know what policy prevents me from enjoying such a distinguished honour ?"

"I have nettled her," said Tom to himself; "and shall now set herd-prating till I get every thing out of her. Why, Madam, it may not always be convenient to bestow the hand where the heart is already placed."—

"Oh, Sir, I suppose, Miss Tawdry is a fortune then: - pray what may it amount to, and is it in landed or funded property?"

"My dear Mrs. Secondhand, you are rather severe. Miss Tawdry, I am certain, has not half your beauty, nor have I reason to believe she has half your purse: but then, she possesses the confidence of the Viscountess, and my mas. ter owes all his political consequence to her, that is, to me, for I have the power of extract

ing from her all she knows. Now, this confidence, if my master should ever get on the right side- the ministerial one, will secure us a little fortune by post, pension, or somehow, or other. If this were not the case, my heart

--

would follow its own dictates, and leap out at your feet."

"Oh, Sir! you flatter me prodigiously; but do you really imagine, that Miss Tawdry's influence over her lady is as great as what I possess over mine; or, supposing that to be the case, can you suppose that Viscount Sheeptrotter is equal to the Duke of Cowbeel?"

say;

" I can't all I know is, that I am to see Miss Tawdry this night, by my master's orders and I'll lay my modesty against any thing of equal consequence, that I learn all that passed in the Cabinet Council to-day."

"You offer a vast stake, to be sure; but suppose now, that you could be informed of all this without taking so much trouble?”

"Why really, Mrs. Secondhand, I am not fond of trouble, either necessary or unnecessary. To play the hypocrite and feign love