This I did three or four times, always with so much success as to gain my point for the moment, but never with such happy consequences as to ensure it me for the time to come; since every next meeting shewed an air of pique, and since every evening had still, unremittingly, the same message for John.

I concluded this would wear away by use, and therefore resolved to give it that chance.  One evening, however, when, being quite alone, I was going to my loved resource, John, ere I could get out, hurried to me, “Ma’am, the gentlemen are come up, and they send their compliments, and they wait tea for you.”

“Very well,” was my answer to this rather cavalier summons, which I did not wholly admire; and I put on my hat and cloak, when I was called to the queen.  She asked me whether I thought Mrs. Delany could come to her, as she wished to see her?  I offered to go instantly, and inquire.

“But don’t tell her I sent you,” cried the most considerate queen, “lest that should make her come when it may hurt her:  find out how she is, before you mention me.” 427

As I now knew I must return myself, at any rate, I slipped into the tea-room before I set off.  I found there Colonel Goldsworthy, looking quite glum, General Bud`e, Mr. Fisher, Mr. — Fisher, his brother, and Mr. Blomberg, chaplain to the Prince of Wales.

The moment I opened the door, General Bud`e presented Mr. Blomberg to me, and Mr. Fisher his brother; I told them, hastily, that I was running away to Mrs. Delany, but meant to return in a quarter of an hour, when I should be happy to have their company, if they could wait so long ; but if they were hurried, my man should bring their tea.

They all turned to Colonel Goldsworthy, who, as equerry in waiting, was considered as head of the party; but he seemed so choked with surprise and displeasure, that he could only mutter something too indistinct to be heard, and bowed low and distantly.

“If Colonel Goldsworthy can command his time, ma’am,” cried Mr. Fisher, “we shall be most happy to wait yours.”

General Bud6 said the same :  the colonel again silently and solemnly bowed, and I curtsied in the same manner, and burried away.

Mrs. Delany was not well ; and I would not vex her with the queen’s kind wish for her.  I returned, and sent in, by the page in waiting, my account :  for the queen was in the concertroom, and I could not go to her.  Neither would I seduce away Miss Port from her duty ; I came back, therefore, alone, and was fain to make my part as good as I was able among my beaus.

I found them all waiting.  Colonel Goldsworthy received me with the same stately bow, and a look so glum and disconcerted, that I instantly turned from him to meet the soft countenance of the good Mr. Fisher, who took a chair next mine, and entered into conversation with his usual intelligence and mildness.  General Bud`e was chatty and well bred, and the two strangers wholly silent.