The Tinted Venus

"The Tinted Venus: A Farcical Romance" is a humorous story about a man named Jauncy, who invites his friend, Leander Tweddle, to accompany him to meet his fiancée and her sister in Rosherwich Gardens. Tweddle, a hairdresser, agrees to go with Jauncy but becomes reluctant when he discovers that they will be accompanied by two women. When Jauncy asks why, Tweddle hesitates before finally confessing that he has met them before. Excerpt: "James, I'll tell you the truth; I have. In earlier days, James, I used constantly to be meeting Miss Parkinson and her sister in society, and I dare say I made myself so pleasant and agreeable (you know what a way that is of mine), that Miss Ada (not your lady, of course) may have thought I meant something special by it, and there's no saying but what it might have come in time to our keeping company, only I happened just then to see Matilda, and—and I haven't been near the Parkinsons ever since. So you can see for yourself that a meeting might be awkward for all parties concerned; and I really must get out, James!"