labour, and why should he be ashamed of it?

And now, having explained at full length who the several heroes and
heroines of this history were, and how they conducted themselves in
the country, let us describe their behaviour in London, and the
great events which occurred there.

You must know that Mr. Perkins bore away the tenderest recollections
of the young lady with whom he had danced at the Oldborough ball,
and, having taken particular care to find out where she dwelt when
in the metropolis, managed soon to become acquainted with Aunt
Biggs, and made himself so amiable to that lady, that she begged he
would pass all his disengaged evenings at her lodgings in Caroline
Place. Mrs. Biggs was perfectly aware that the young gentleman did
not come for her bohea and muffins, so much as for the sweeter
conversation of her niece, Miss Gorgon; but seeing that these two
young people were of an age when ideas of love and marriage will
spring up, do what you will; seeing that her niece had a fortune,
and Mr. Perkins had the prospect of a place, and was moreover a very
amiable and well-disposed young fellow, she thought her niece could
not do better than marry him; and Miss Gorgon thought so too. Now
the public will be able to understand the meaning of that important
conversation which is recorded at the very commencement of this
history.

Lady Gorgon and her family were likewise in town; but, when in the
metropolis, they never took notice of their relative, Miss Lucy:
the idea of acknowledging an ex-schoolmistress living in
Mecklenburgh Square being much too preposterous for a person of my
Lady Gorgon's breeding and fashion. She did not, therefore, know of