Thornhill had provided music and refreshments, and intended that night giving the young ladies a ball
by moonlight, on the grass-plot before our door. Nor can I deny, continued he, but I have an interest in
being first to deliver this message, as I expect for my reward to be honoured with Miss Sophys hand as
a partner. To this my girl replied, that she should have no objection, if she could do it with honour; But
here, continued she, is a gentleman, looking at Mr. Burchell, who has been my companion in the task
for the day, and it is fit he should share in its amusements. Mr. Burchell returned her a compliment for
her intentions; but resigned her up to the chaplain, adding that he was to go that night five miles, being
invited to a harvest supper. His refusal appeared to me a little extraordinary, nor could I conceive how
so sensible a girl as my youngest, could thus prefer a man of broken fortunes to one whose expectations
were much greater. But as men are most capable of distinguishing merit in women, so the ladies often
form the truest judgments of us. The two sexes seem placed as spies upon each other, and are furnished
with different abilities, adapted for mutual inspection.