As Neither Her Lady Nor Herself Understood The
German Language, And She Spoke Infinitely The Best French, Her
Conversation Was The Most Agreeable, Which, Joined With A Most Engaging
Manner, And A Peculiar Sweetness In Her Voice, Attracted All Those
Civilities Which The Rank Of The Other Demanded.
Possessed of so many charms, it would have been strange if, in a city
throng'd like Vienna with young
Noblemen, who were continually coming
from all parts of the empire, she had lived without some who pretended
to somewhat more than mere admiration; but her heart had not refused the
worthy Dorilaus to become the conquest of a German; nor was it here she
was ordained to experience those anxieties in herself, she could but
imperfectly conceive by the description she had from others.
Melanthe, however, whose sole aim was to drive all perplexing thoughts
from her mind, encouraged a great number of visitors, so that her
lodgings seemed a perfect theatre of gallantry; and Louisa having her
share in all the amusements this lady prepared for the reception of
those that came to see her, or were contrived for her entertainment by
others, past her time in the most gay and agreeable manner imaginable,
and by this means acquired the knowledge of almost the only thing she
before was ignorant in, how to receive a multiplicity of company, yet to
behave so is each should imagine themselves most welcome; - to seem
perfectly open, without discovering any thing improper to be
revealed; - to use all decent freedoms with the men, yet not encourage
the least from them, and to seem to make a friend of every woman she
conversed with, without putting truth in any; - and in fine, all the
little policies which make up the art of what is called a polite
address, and which is not to be attained without an acquaintance with
the court and great world.
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