She had but just left me, when who should enter but my dear Mrs. Delany herself.  This was indeed a sweet regale to me.  She came to welcome me in my own apartment, and I am sure to teach me to love it.  What place could I see her in and hate ?  I could hardly do anything but kiss her soft cheeks, and dear venerable hands, with gratitude for her kindness, while she stayed with me, which was till the royal family came home from the Terrace, which they walk upon every fine evening.  She had already been invited to the king’s concert, which she then attended.

Miss Port and I now planned that we would drink t 338

together.  It was, indeed, my dearest Mrs. Locke’s injunctions that determined me upon making that trial; for I knew nothing could more contribute to my future chance of some happy hours than securing this time and this repast to imself.  Mrs, Delany had the same wish, and encouraged me in the attempt.

As I knew not to whom to speak, nor how to give a positive order, in my ignorance whether the measure I desired to take was practicable or not, Miss Port undertook to be my agent.  She therefore ran out, and scampered up and down the stairs and passages in search of some one to whom she could apply.  She met at last Mrs. Schwellenberg’s man, and boldly bid him " bring Miss Burney’s tea.”  “It is ready,” he answered, “in the dining parlour.”  And then he came to me, with his mistress’s compliments, and that she was come down to tea, and waited for me.

To refuse to go was impossible it would have been an opening so offensive, with a person destined for my principal companion, and who had herself begun very civilly and attentively, that I could not even hesitate.  I only felt heavyhearted, and Miss Port made a thousand faces, and together we went to the eating-room.

The tea table of the keeper of the robes.

Mrs. Schwellenberg had already made the tea; and four gentlemen were seated at the table.  The Bishop of Salisbury, as I afterwards found he was, came up to congratulate me, and spoke very kindly of my father, whom he said he had just seen on the Terrace.  This is a brother of Lord Barrington’s:  I had never met him before.

Next him sat a young clergyman, Mr. Fisher, whom I did not recollect, but who said he had seen me once at Mrs. Ord’s, and spoke to me of her, and of Mrs. Thrale, whom he had lately left in Italy, where he has been travelling.

And next was Major Price, the equerry of the king at present in waiting.  He is the same that all the Barborne family so adored when a captain.  He mentioned them all to me, with high praise and great good-breeding.  I am very much pleased with him, and happy he should be the equerry in waiting on my first arrival.  Colonel Polier was also of the party.

I find it has always belonged to Mrs. Schwellenberg and Mrs. Haggerdorn to receive at tea whatever company the king or queen invite to the Lodge, as it is only a very select few of them