Further conjectures were still starting, and all were engaged in aiding them and enjoying them, when suddenly a violent knocking at the door was followed by the most unexpected entrance of the queen and the Princess Amelia!

Universal was the start, and most instantaneous and solemn the silence !  I felt almost guilty, though not for myself:  my own invariable method of avowing all my proceedings saved me from the smallest embarrassment on my own account in this meeting; but I was ashamed to appear the leader in a walk so new as that of leaving the Lodge in an evening, and to have induced any others to follow my example.  The queen looked extremely surprised, but not at me, whom she knew she should encounter; and the two gentlemen hardly could settle whether to make humble explanations, or frank ridicule, of the situation in which they were caught.  The queen, however, immediately put them at their ease, speaking to them with marked civility, and evidently desirous not to mar what she found intended as a private frolic, by any fears of her disapprobation.

She did not stay long, and they soon followed her to the Lodge.  I also returned, and at night the queen owned to me, but very good-humouredly, that she had never been more astonished than at sight of the equerries that evening, and asked me how it came to pass.

“Mrs. Delany, ma’am,” I answered, “as she had taken away their tea-maker, thought she could do no less than offer them tea for once at her own table.”

And here the matter rested.  But the enterprise has never been repeated. . 443

Mr. Turbulent on court routine.

Dec. 13.-Our dinner was as usual, the Smelts, Messrs. de Luc and Turbulent, and Miss Planta; and the last only was gone when Mr. and Mrs. Hayes arrived.  Mrs. Hayes is a really pretty as well as a pretty sort of woman,(228) and modest, well-bred, and sensible - and the afternoon, with the assistance of Mr. Smelt, did very well.  They went early home, and both the Smelts were called to the queen’s rooms; M. de Luc said he must retire to write down " some thoughts upon an experiment in his head,” and only Mr. Turbulent remained.

I found the partner of my confinement a man of uncommon capacity, but something there was hung about him, or hung about me, that prevented my assimilating-with him in anything.  I saw he was endowed with great powers of agreeability; but I thought him obtrusive ; and that alone is a drawback to all merit, that I know not how to pass over.  He spoke his opinions with great openness, equally upon people and things ; but it seemed rather from carelessness than confidence, and I ’know him too little to feel obliged in his trust.

The talk was chiefly upon mere general subjects, till by ’some accident the approaching birth-day of the queen was mentioned.  He then inquired of me how I should like the state business of that day?