This billet, with the present, was delivered to Miss Blague with the same success as the other had been conveyed to Lady Muskerry.  Miss Hamilton had just received an account of it, when the latter came to pay her a visit:  something seemed to possess her thoughts very much; when, having stayed some time, her cousin desired her to walk into her cabinet.  As soon as they were there:  “I desire your secrecy for what I am going to tell you,” said Lady Muskerry.  “Do not you wonder what strange creatures men are?  Do not trust to them, my dear cousin:  my Lord Muskerry, who, before our marriage, could have passed whole days and nights in seeing me dance, thinks proper now to forbid me dancing, and says it does not become me.  This is not all:  he has so often rung in my ears the subject of this masquerade, that I am obliged to hide from him the honour the queen has done me, in inviting me to it.  However, I am surprised I am not informed who is to be my partner:  but if you knew what a plague it is, to find out, in this cursed town, in what manner the people of Babylon dress, you would pity me for what I have suffered since the time I have been appointed:  besides, the cost which it puts me to is beyond all imagination.”

Here it was that Miss Hamilton’s inclination to laugh, which had increased in proportion as she endeavoured to suppress it, at length overcame her, and broke out in an immoderate fit:  Lady Muskerry took it in good humour, not doubting but it was the fantastical conduct of her husband that she was laughing at.  Miss Hamilton told her that all husbands were much the same, and that one ought not to be concerned at their whims; that she did not know who was to be her partner at the masquerade; but that, as she was named, the gentleman named with her would certainly not fail to attend her; although she could not comprehend why he had not yet declared himself, unless he likewise had some fantastical spouse, who had forbid him to dance.

This conversation being finished, Lady Muskerry went away in great haste, to endeavour to learn some news of her partner.  Those who were accomplices in the plot were laughing very heartily at this visit, when Lord Muskerry paid them one in his turn, and taking Miss Hamilton aside:  “Do you know,” said he, “whether there is to be any ball in the city tomorrow?” “No,” said she; “but why do you ask?” “Because.” said he, “I am informed that my wife is making great preparations of dress.  I know very well she is not to be at the masquerade:  that I have taken care of; but as the devil is in her for dancing, I am very much afraid that she will be affording some fresh subject for ridicule, notwithstanding all my precautions:  however, if it was amongst the citizens, at some private party, I should not much mind it.”

They satisfied him as well as they could, and having dismissed him, under pretence of a thousand things they had to prepare for the next day, Miss Hamilton thought herself at liberty for that morning, when in came Miss Price, one of the maids of honour to the Duchess.  This was just what she was wishing for:  This lady and Miss Blague had been at variance some time, on account of Duncan, whom Miss Price had drawn away from the other; and hatred still subsisted between these two divinities.