This first adventure, therefore, served them as an introduction to
the company at Bath, who were not a little surprised to find their
expectations baffled by the conduct of the two companions; because,
far from engaging deeply at play, they rather shunned all occasions
of gaming, and directed their attention to gallantry, in which our
hero shone unrivalled. His external qualifications, exclusive of
any other merit, were strong enough to captivate the common run
of the female sex; and these, reinforced with a sprightliness of
conversation, and a most insinuating address, became irresistible,
even by those who were fortified with pride, caution, or indifference.
But, among all the nymphs of this gay place, he did not meet with
one object that disputed the empire of his heart with Emilia, and
therefore he divided his attachment according to the suggestions
of vanity and whim; so that, before he had resided a fortnight at
Bath, he had set all the ladies by the ears, and furnished all the
hundred tongues of scandal with full employment. The splendour of
his appearance excited the inquiries of envy, which, instead of
discovering any circumstances to his prejudice, was cursed with
the information of his being a young gentleman of a good family,
and heir to an immense fortune.
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