“And when did you come?” cried the king.
“About two hours ago, sir.”
“And when do you return again to Windsor?”
“Very soon, I hope, sir.”
“And--and--and--” cried he, half laughing, and hesitating,
significantly, “pray, how goes on the Muse?”
At first I only laughed, too; but he repeated the inquiry, and then I
answered, “Not at all, sir.”
“No? But why?--why not?”
“I--I--I am afraid sir,” stammered I, and true enough, I am sure.
“And why?” repeated he, “of what?”
I spoke something,--I hardly know what myself,--so indistinctly, that he
could not hear me, though he had put his head quite under my hat, from
the beginning of the little conference and, after another such question
or two, and no greater satisfaction in the answer, he smiled very
good humouredly, and walked on, his charming queen by his side. His
condescension confuses, though it delights me.
We stayed some time longer on the Terrace, and my poor father
occasionally joined me; but he looked so conscious and depressed, that
it pained me to see him. There is nothing that I know so very dejecting,
as solicitation. I am sure I could never, I believe, go through a task
of that sort. My dear father was not spoken to, though he had a bow
every time the king passed him, and a curtsey from the queen. But it
hurt him, and he thought it a very bad prognostic; and all there was at
all to build upon was the graciousness shewn to me, which, indeed, in
the manner I was accosted, was very flattering, and, except to high
rank, I am told, very rare.
We stayed but a very short time with my sweet Mrs. Delany, whose
best wishes you are sure were ours. I told her our plan, and our full
conviction that she could not assist in it; as the obligations she
herself owes are so great and so weighty, that any request from her
would be encroaching and improper.
We did not get home till past eleven o'clock. We were then informed that
Lord Brudenel had called to say Mr. Parsons had a promise of the place
from the lord chamberlain. This was not very exhilarating.