Davys, Mary (1674-1732)

The Reform'd Coquet; a Novel

London

Printed by H. Woodfall

1724

"In short, every thing we do, you construe to your own advantage: if we look easy and pleas'd in your Company, we are certainly in Love; if grave and reserv'd, 'tis to hide our Love; thus you all imagine we are fond of gaining a Conquest over a Heart, which when we have got it, is perhaps so very trifling, that we dispose of it at last, as we do of our old Gowns, give it away to our Chamber-Maid."

Amoranda was so touch'd with what Formator said, that the Tears stood in her Eyes, and she was just going to beg he wou'd have done, when the Bell rung for Dinner, and put a stop to what remain'd; she was never so lectur'd in her Life before, however she told herself in her own Breast, that every Word he said was true. As soon as Dinner was over, my Friend Froth came in, with a design to sift Amoranda's Inclinations once more; and if he found her leaning to his Side, as much as he desir'd, then to discover all; if not, to stay till Callid came, and join with him, in the Invitation to the Entertainment at night. Formator, who was told before he came in who he was, left Amoranda and him together, and having a fair Opportunity of trying his Fortune once more, he thus began: Madam, I have often look'd with envious Eyes on the Favours you confer on Mr. Callid, but, Madam, as you cannot have us both, I wish you wou'd (for the ease of one of us at least) declare in favour of him you like, and let the other travel. Mr. Froth, said she, your Friend and you, are endow'd with such equal Merit, 'tis hardly possible to say which I like best; beside, if I shou'd declare in favour of you, Mr. Callid wou'd not believe I was in earnest; and if I shou'd say I like him best, you are too conscious of your own Worth, to think I speak from my Heart. In short, every thing we do, you construe to your own advantage: if we look easy and pleas'd in your Company, we are certainly in Love; if grave and reserv'd, 'tis to hide our Love; thus you all imagine we are fond of gaining a Conquest over a Heart, which when we have got it, is perhaps so very trifling, that we dispose of it at last, as we do of our old Gowns, give it away to our Chamber-Maid. But, Madam, said Froth, if you please we will lay by general Comparisons, and come to particulars betwixt Callid and myself; and if I, from undeniable Reasons, prove I deserve best from you, will you promise accordingly to reward me?
(pp. 38-9)

War::Conquest::Conquer Heart Dress::Gown

Searching "conque" and "heart" in HDIS (Prose)

At least 9 entries in ESTC (1724, 1725, 1735, 1736, 1744, 1752, 1760, 1763).

Mary Davys, The Reform'd Coquet; a Novel. by Mrs. Davys, Author of the Humours of York. (London: London: Printed by H. Woodfall, for the Author; and sold by J.Stephens, 1724). <Link to ECCO><Link to Google Books>

Text from The Works of Mrs. Davys: Consisting of, Plays, Novels, Poems, and Familiar Letters. Several of which never before Publish'd. 2 vols. (London: printed by H. Woodfall, for the author and sold by J. Stevens, 1725). <Link to Google Books>

Reading in Popular Fiction by Women, 1660-1730, eds. Paula Backscheider and John Richetti (Oxford UP, 1996).

09/29/2004

07/27/2011