Then came in Sir Joshua Reynolds, and he soon drew a chair near mine,
and from that time I was never without some friend at my elbow.
“Have you seen,” said he, “Mrs. Montagu lately?”
“No, not very lately.”
“But within these few months?”
“No, not since last year.”
“Oh, you must see her, then. You ought to see and to hear her--'t will
be worth your while. Have you heard of the fine long letter she has
written?”
“Yes, but I have not met with it.”
“I have.”
“And who is it to?”
“The old Duchess of Portland.[161] She desired Mrs. Montagu's opinion
of 'Cecilia,' and she has written it at full length. I was in a party at
her grace's, and heard of nothing but you. She is so delighted, and so
sensibly, so rationally, that I only wish you could have heard her. And
old Mrs. Delany had been forced to begin it, though she had said she
should never read any more; however, when we met, she was reading it
already for the third time.”
After this Mrs. Burke saw me, and with much civility and softness of
manner, came and talked with me, while her husband without seeing me,
went behind my chair to speak to Mrs Hampden.