As precious a thing as time is, and as much as I always knew the real value of it, the hours, me thought, moved slowly on 'till the clock struck seven, and told me that I might now hope for the full eclaircisement of an adventure I had already taken so much fruitless pains to explore.

Pretty secure, however, that I should not lose my labour any more on this occasion, I went with great glee and jollity of mind to the house of mr. Mixum, – Count Cogdy and his three Associates came presently after, and were shew'd into the best room, where I accompanied them. – On their calling for wine Mixum came up with it himself to pay his compliments, as not having seen them for a considerable time, and there ensued some discourse concerning the search-warrant that had been granted against the house, – the manner in which those persons who were there had made their escape from the officers, and such like affairs, which not being at all material to my purpose I not regarded, nor spread my Tablets to receive.

Within about half an hour Clerimont and his young friend appear'd; – the first sight of the latter extremely struck me, – I thought I had somewhere seen that face, but when or where, or on what occasion, I could not presently recollect, and it was some minutes before I knew this seeming beau for a real belle; – in fine, that it was no other than Charlotte herself: – she was, indeed, so artfully disguised in all points, that a person much better acquainted with her features might have been deceived; – her cheeks, which had naturally no more red in them than was necessary to preserve her complexion from the character of a dead paleness, were now, by the help of Carmine or Portugal paste, of a high ruddy colour; – her eye-brows, which were of a fine light brown, were now black as jet; and that sweet and modest air, so becoming in the amiable Charlotte, converted into one all bold and rakish.