pression, so long as they danced only slow dances; and yet there were as good dancers, and as beautiful women in this assembly, as were to be found in the whole world: but as the company was not numerous, they left the French, and went to country dances. When the maskers had danced some time, the King thought fit to introduce the auxiliaries, to give them a little respite: the Queen's and the Duchess's maids of honour were therefore called in to dance with the gentlemen.

Then it was that Miss Hamilton and her accomplices were at leisure to take notice of Miss Blague, and they found that the billet they had conveyed to her on the part of Brisacier had its effect: she was more yellow than saffron: her fair locks were ornamented with the citron-coloured ribband, put there out of complaisance to

him; and, to inform him of his happiness, she often raised to her head her victorious hands, adorned with the gloves we have before mentioned: but, if they were surprised to see her in a head-dress that made her look more wan than ever, she felt very different sensations at seeing Miss Price partake with her in every particular of Brisacier's present: her surprise soon turned to jealousy; for her rival had not failed to join in conversation with him, in consequence of what had been insinuated to her the evening before; nor did Brisacier fail to return her first advances, without paying the least attention to the fair Blague, nor to the signs which she was tormenting herself to make him, to inform him of his happy destiny.

Miss Price was short and thick, and consequently no dancer; the Duke

of Buckingham, who brought Brisacier forward as often as he could, came to desire him, on the part of the King, to dance with Miss Blague, without knowing what was then passing in this nymph's heart. Brisacier excused himself, on account of the contempt that he had for country dances: Miss Blague thought that it was herself that he despised; and, seeing that he was engaged in conversation with her mortal enemy, she began to dance, without knowing what she did. Though her indignation and jealousy were sufficiently remarkable to divert the whole court, none but Miss Hamilton and her accomplices, understood the joke perfectly. Their pleasure was soon made quite complete by the return of Lord Muskerry still more confounded at the vision, of which the Chevalier de Grammont had given the description; he acquainted

Miss Hamilton, that it was Lady Muskerry herself, a thousand times more ridiculous than she had ever been before, and that he had had infinite trouble to get her home, and place a sentry at her chamber door.

The reader may think, perhaps, that we have dwelt too long on these trifling incidents; perhaps he may be right: we will, therefore, pass to others.

Every thing favoured the Chevalier de Grammont in the new passion which he entertained: he was not, however, without rivals; but, what is a great deal more extraordinary, he was without uneasiness: he was acquainted with their understandings, and no stranger to Miss Hamilton's way of thinking.

Among her lovers, the most considerable, though the least professedly

so, was the Duke of York: it was in vain for him to conceal it, the court was too well acquainted with his cha racter to doubt of his inclination for her. He did not think it proper to deelare such sentiments as were not fit for Miss Hamilton to listen to: but he talked to her as much as he could, and ogled her with great assiduity. As hunting was his favourite diversion, that sport employed him great part of the day, and he came home generally much fatigued; but Miss Hamilton's presence was sure to revive him, when he found her either with the Queen or the Duchess. There it was that, not daring to tell her of what lay heavy on his heart, he entertained her with what his head was full of; telling her miracles of the cunning of foxes and the mettle of horses; giving her accounts of broken legs and arms, dislocated shoul