fondness as at Windsor.

66

..
"I told you before," she said,

I loved her like one of my own sisters, and I can tell you no more: and she knows it; for one day she was taken ill, and fainted, and we put her upon one of our beds, and got her everything we could think of ourselves, and let nobody else wait upon her; and when she revived she said to my brother, These are my sisters-I am sure they are! they must be

my own!

Our next and last interruption, I think, was from a very gentle tap at the door, and a May I come in?" from a soft voice, while the lock was turned, and a youthful and very lovely female put in her head.

The Princess immediately rose, and said, "O yes," and held out her two hands to her; turning at the same time to me, and saying, "Princess Sophia.'

I found it was the Duke of Gloucester's daughter. She is very fat, with very fine eyes, a bright, even dazzling bloom, fine teeth, a beautiful skin, and a look of extreme modesty and sweetness.

She courtesied to me so distinguishingly, that I was almost confused by her condescension, fearing she might imagine, from finding me seated with the Princess Augusta, and in such close conference, I was somebody.

!"

"You look so fine and so grand," cried she, examining the Princess's attire, which was very superb in silver and diamonds," that I am almost afraid to come near you Her own dress was perfectly simple, though remarkably elegant.

"O!-I hate myself when so fine!" cried Princess Augusta; "I cannot bear it; but there is no help-the people at the play always expect it."

They then conversed a little while, both standing; and then Princess Augusta said, "Give my love to the Duke" (meaning of Gloucester), " and I hope I shall see him

by and bye; and to William" (Meaning the Duke's son).

And this, which was not a positive request that she would prolong her visit, was understood; and the lovely cousin made her courtsy and retired.

To me, again, she made another, so gravely low and civil, that I really blushed to receive it, from added fear of being mistaken. I accompanied her to the door, and shut it for her; and the moment she was out of the room, and out of sight of the Princess Augusta, she turned round to me, and with a smile of extreme civility, and a voice very soft, said, "I am so happy to see you!-I have longed for it a great, great while-for I have read you with such delight and instruction, so often!"

I was very much surprised indeed: I expressed my sense of her goodness as well as I could; and she courtsied again, and glided away.

"How infinitely gracious is all your Royal Highness's House to me!" cried I, as I returned to my charming Princess; who again made me take my seat next her own, and again renewed her discourse.

I stayed on with this delightful Princess till near four o'clock, when she descended to dinner. I then accompanied her to the head of the stairs, saying, " I feel quite low that this is over! How I wish it might be repeated in half a year instead of a year!"

"I'm sure, and so do I!" were the last kind words she condescendingly uttered.

I then made a little visit to Miss Planta, who was extremely friendly, and asked me why I should wait another year before I came. I told her I had leave for an annual visit, and could not presume to encroach beyond such a permission. However, as she proposed my calling upon her, at least when I happened to be in town

or at Chelsea, I begged her to take some opportunity to hint my wish of admission, if possible, more frequently.

In the evening I went to the play with James and Marianne. It was a new comedy called 'Cheap Living,' by Reynolds or Morton, and full of absurdities, but at times irresistibly comic.

Very soon afterwards I had a letter from Miss Planta, saying she had mentioned to her Majesty my regret of the long intervals of annual admissions; and that her Majesty had most graciously answered, "She should be very glad to see me whenever I came to town."

PART IV.

Talleyrand-Madame d'Arblay's interview with the Queen in behalf of her father-The Princesses-The Duke of Norfolk and the majesty of the people- Queen Charlotte's benevolence -Royal contributions in support of the war-) -Madame Schwellenberg's successor-The royal party at the theatre-Secrets worth knowing-Mrs. Chapone-Lady Strange-Mysterious donation-Sheridan seconding Dundas-Last moments of Louis XVI.-Professor Young-Rogers the poet-French emigrants -Sir Lucas Pepys and Lady Rothes-Mr. and Mrs. Barbauld -Mr. Strachan the printer-Carnot's pamphlet - Madame d'Arblay visits the Princess Amelia-Her Royal Highness's condescension-Herschel-Lord Macartney.