I set out a little the sooner, to enable me to make another visit, which I had also much at heart,-it was to our aunts at Kingston.  I can never tell you their astonishment at sight of me; they took me for my own ghost, I believe, at first, but they soon put my substance to the proof, and nothing could better answer my motives than my welcome, which I need not paint to my Susan, who never sees them without experiencingit.  To my great satisfaction, also, my nieces Fanny and Sophy happened to be there at that time.

My return was just in time for my company, which I found increased by the arrival of two more gentlemen, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Turbulent.  Mr. Fisher had been ordered to come, that he might read prayers the next day, Sunday.  Mr. Turbulent(226) was summoned, I suppose, for his usual occupations; reading with the princesses, or to the queen.  Shall I introduce to you this gentleman such as I now think him at once? or wait to let his character open itself to you by

437

degrees, and in the same manner that it did to me?  So capital a part as you will find him destined to play, hereafter, in my concerns, I mean, sooner or later, to the best of my power, to make you fully acquainted with him. . . .

He took his seat next mine at the table, and assisted me, while Mr. Fisher sat as chaplain at the bottom.  The dinner went off extremely well, though from no help of mine. . . .  The three men and the three females were all intimately acquainted with one another, and the conversation, altogether, was equal, open, and agreeable.

You may a little judge of this, when I tell you a short speech that escaped Miss Planta.  Mr. Turbulent said he must go early to town the next morning, and added, he should call to see Mrs. Schwellenberg, by order of the queen, “Now for heaven’s sake, Mr. Turbulent,” she cried, eagerly, “don’t you begin talking to her of how comfortable we are here !-it will bring her back directly!”

This was said in a half whisper; and I hope no one else heard it.  I leave you, my dear friends, to your own comments.

TeaRoom gambols.

Mr. and Mrs. Smelt and Mrs. Delany came to us at teatime.  Then, and in their society, I grew more easy and disengaged.

The sweet little Princess Amelia, who had promised me a visit, came during tea, brought by Mrs. Cheveley.  I left every body to play with her, and Mr. Smelt joined in our gambols.  We pretended to put her in a phaeton, and to drive about and make visits with her.  She entered into the scheme with great spirit and delight, and we waited upon Mrs. Delany and Mrs. Smelt alternately.  Children are never tired of playing at being women; and women there are who are never tired, in return, of playing at being children!

In the midst of this frolicking, which at times was rather noisy, by Mr. Smelt’s choosing to represent a restive horse, the king entered!  We all stopped short, guests, hosts, and horses ; and all, with equal celerity, retreated, making the usual circle for his majesty to move in.  The little princess bore this interruption to her sport only while surprised into quiet by the general respect inspired by the king.  The instant that wore off, she grew extremely im-438