At least I found it so; my playing was highly
praised, and that stirred up vanity: and so did my singing, with which I
had even more reason to be satisfied. Snares! snares!
_Julia._ Goodness me! I don't find them so. Now you mention it, gentlemen
do praise one; but, dear me, they praise every lady, even when we have
been singing every other note out of tune. The little unmeaning
compliments of society, can they catch anything so great as a soul?
_Jane._ I pray daily not to be led into temptation, and shall I go into
it of my own accord?
_Julia._ Not if you find it a temptation. At that rate I ought to
decline.
_Jane._ That doesn't follow. My conscience is not a law to yours.
Besides, your mamma said "sing:" and a parent is not to be disobeyed upon
a doubt. If papa were to insist on my going to a ball even, or reading a
novel, I think I should obey; and lay the whole case before Him.
_Mrs. Dodd_ (from a distance). Come, my dears, Dr. Sampson is getting
_so_ impatient for your song.
_Sampson._ Hum! for all that, young ladies' singing is a poor substitute
for cards, and even for conversation.
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