Colonel Polier soon left us, to attend Prince Charles. Mrs.
Schwellenberg and I had then a long tete-a-tete, in which I found her
a woman of understanding, and fond of conversation. I was called down
afterwards to Miss Port, who was eager to see me in my new dwelling, and
dying with impatience to know, hear, and examine everything about me.
She ran about to make all the inquiries and discoveries she could for
me, and was so highly delighted with my situation, it was impossible
not to receive some pleasure even from looking at her. She helped me to
unpack, to arrange, to do everything that came in the way.
In a short time Madame de la Fite entered, nearly as impatient as
herself to be my first visitor. She was quite fanciful and entertaining
about my succeeding to Mrs. Haggerdorn, and repeatedly turned round to
look at me fresh and fresh, to see if it was really me, and me in that
so long differently appropriated apartment.
She had but just left me, when who should enter but my dear Mrs. Delany
herself. This was indeed a sweet regale to me. She came to welcome me in
my own apartment, and I am sure to teach me to love it. What place could
I see her in and hate? I could hardly do anything but kiss her soft
cheeks, and dear venerable hands, with gratitude for her kindness, while
she stayed with me, which was till the royal family came home from the
Terrace, which they walk upon every fine evening. She had already been
invited to the king's concert, which she then attended.
Miss Port and I now planned that we would drink together. It was,
indeed, my dearest Mrs. Locke's injunctions that determined me upon
making that trial; for I knew nothing could more contribute to my future
chance of some happy hours than securing this time and this repast to
myself. Mrs. Delany had the same wish, and encouraged me in the attempt.
As I knew not to whom to speak, nor how to give a positive order, in my
ignorance whether the measure I desired to take was practicable or not,
Miss Port undertook to be my agent. She therefore ran out, and scampered
up and down the stairs and passages in search of some one to whom she
could apply. She met at last Mrs. Schwellenberg's man, and boldly bid
him “bring Miss Burney's tea.” “It is ready,” he answered, “in
the dining parlour.” And then he came to me, with his mistress's
compliments, and that she was come down to tea, and waited for me.
To refuse to go was impossible it would have been an opening so
offensive, with a person destined for my principal companion, and who
had herself begun very civilly and attentively, that I could not even
hesitate. I only felt heavy-hearted, and Miss Port made a thousand
faces, and together we went to the eating-room.