However, he concealed his wicked design, and his mistress thought he had never appeared so amiable.
"Only guess," said he, "where I have been!--to our new neighbour the griffin; a most charming person, thoroughly affable, and quite the air of the court.

As for that silly magpie, the griffin saw her character at once; and it was all a hoax about his daughter,--he has no daughter at all.

You know, my dear, hoaxing is a fashionable amusement among the great.

He says he has heard of nothing but your beauty, and on my telling him we were going to be married, he has insisted upon giving a great ball and supper in honour of the event.

In fact, he is a gallant old fellow, and dying to see you.