And what are ladies and gentlemen without
mind, but a well-dressed mob! It is to mind alone that I am at all
disposed to pay the homage of diffidence.
The acquaintance of the Argents are all of the first circle, and we
have got an invitation to a route from the Countess of J-y, in
consequence of meeting her with them. She is a charming woman, and
I anticipate great pleasure. Miss Argent says, however, she is
ignorant and presuming; but how is it possible that she can be so,
as she was an earl's daughter, and bred up for distinction? Miss
Argent may be presuming, but a countess is necessarily above that,
at least it would only become a duchess or marchioness to say so.
This, however, is not the only occasion in which I have seen the
detractive disposition of that young lady, who, with all her
simplicity of manners and great accomplishments, is, you will
perceive, just like ourselves, rustic as she doubtless thinks our
breeding has been.
I have observed that nobody in London inquires about who another is;
and that in company everyone is treated on an equality, unless when
there is some remarkable personal peculiarity, so that one really
knows nothing of those whom one meets.
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