In a minute or two, the queen not a little drily said, “Where have you been, Miss Burney?”

I told her my tale,-that hearing she was gone to Windsor, I had been walking in Richmond gardens with Mr. Smelt.  She said no more, and I stood behind her chair.  The princess and two ladies were seated.

What republican feelings were rising in my breast, till she softened them down again, when presently, in a voice changed from that dryness which had wholly disconcerted me, to its natural tone, she condescended to ask me to look at Lady Frances Howard’s gown, and see if it was not very pretty.

This made a dutiful subject of me again in a moment.  Yet I felt a discomposure all day, that determined me upon using the severest caution to avoid such a surprise for the future.  The Windsor journey having been merely upon business, had been more brief than was believed possible.

When I left the queen, I was told that Mrs. Delany was waiting for me in the parlour.  What a pleasure and relief to me to run to that dear lady, and relate to her my mischance, and its circumstances!  Mr. Smelt soon joined us there; he was shocked at the accident ; and I saw strongly by his manner how much more seriously such a matter was regarded, than any one, unused to the inside of a Court, could possibly imagine. 440

“Isit permitted?”

Nov. 8.-This was the birth-day of the Princess Augusta, now eighteen.  I could not resist this opportunity of presenting her one of my fairings, though I had some little fear she might think herself past the age for receiving birth-day gifts, except from the royal family:  however they had arrived so seemingly `a propos, and had been so much approved by the queen, that I determined to make the attempt.  I took one of the work-boxes, and wrote with a pencil, round the middle ornament, “Est-il permis?”—­and then I sent for Miss Makentomb, the princess’s wardrobe woman, and begged her to place the box upon her royal highness’s table.

At the queen’s dressing-time, as I opened the door, her majesty said, " “O, here she is!—­Est-il permis?—­Come, come in to Augusta!” and made me follow her into the next room, the door of which was open, where the princess was seated at a writing-desk, probably answering some congratulatory letters.

Immediately, in a manner the most pleasing, she thanked me for the little cadeau, saying, “Only one thing I must beg, that you will write the motto with a pen.”

The queen seconded this motion, smilingly repeating “Est-il permis?”

And afterwards, in the evening, the Princess Augusta came to the parlour, to fetch Mrs. Delany and Mrs. Smelt, and again said, “Now, will you, Miss Burney—­will you write that for me with a pen?”

The plump provost and His lady.

Nov. 23.-In the evening I had a large party of new acquaintance; the provost of Eton, Dr, Roberts, his lady, Mr. Dewes, Miss Port, the Duke of Montagu, General Bud`e, Colonel Goldsworthy, and Madame de la Fite.  The party had the royal sanction, I need not tell you.  The king and queen are always well disposed to shew civility to the people of Eton and Windsor, and were therefore even pleased at the visit.