Taaffe had no commission to give the little ambassadress for Miss Warmestre; for there everything was already arranged; but she was charged to settle and provide some conveniences which were still wanting for the freedom of their commerce, such as to have free egress and regress to her at all hours of the day or night:  this appeared difficult to be obtained, but it was, however, at length accomplished.

The governess of the maids of honour, who for the world would not have connived at anything that was not fair and honourable, consented that they should sup as often as they pleased in Miss Warmestre’s apartments, provided their intentions were honourable, and she one of the company.  The good old lady was particularly fond of green oysters, and had no aversion to Spanish wine:  she was certain of finding at every one of these suppers two barrels of oysters; one to be eaten with the party, and the other for her to carry away:  as soon, therefore, as she had taken her dose of wine, she took her leave of the company.

It was much about the time that the Chevalier de Grammont had cast his eyes upon Miss Warmestre, that this kind of life was led in her chamber.  God knows how many ham pies, bottles of wine, and other products of his lordship’s liberality were there consumed!

In the midst of these nocturnal festivals, and of this innocent commerce, a relation of Killegrew’s came up to London about a lawsuit:  he gained his cause, but nearly lost his senses.

He was a country gentleman, who had been a widower about six months, and was possessed of fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds a-year:  the good man, who had no business at court, went thither merely to see his cousin Killegrew, who could have dispensed with his visits.  He there saw Miss Warmestre; and at first sight fell in love with her.  His passion increased to such a degree that, having no rest either by day or night, he was obliged to have recourse to extraordinary remedies; he therefore early one morning called upon his cousin Killegrew, told him his case, and desired him to demand Miss Warmestre in marriage for him.

Killegrew was struck with wonder and astonishment when he heard his design:  nor could he cease wondering at what sort of creature, of all the women in London, his cousin had resolved upon marrying.  It was some time before Killegrew could believe that he was in earnest; but when he was convinced that he was, he began to enumerate the dangers and inconveniences attending so rash an enterprise.  He told him that a girl educated at court, was a terrible piece of furniture for the country; that to carry her thither against her inclination, would as effectually rob him of his happiness and repose, as if he was transported to hell; that if he consented to let her stay, he needed only to compute what it would cost him in equipage, table, clothes, and gaming-money, to maintain her in London according to her caprices; and then to cast up how long his fifteen thousand a-year would last.