_July 31._--I had a very pleasant visit from Mrs. Hastings[206] this
morning, whose gay good-humour is very enlivening: but she detained me
from my dress, and I was not ready for the queen; and I have now adopted
the measure of stationing John in the gallery while I am at that noble
occupation, and making him keep off all callers, by telling them I am
dressing for the queen. I have no other way; and being too late, or even
the fear of being too late, makes me nervous and ill.
Every little failure of this sort, though always from causes unknown
to her majesty, she has borne without even a look of surprise or of
gravity; though she never waits an instant, for if Mrs. Schwellenberg is
not with her, she employs Mrs. Thielky, or goes on with her dress or her
undress without either.
This graciousness, however, makes me but the more earnest to grow
punctual; especially as I am now always employed, when present and in
time.
I went in the afternoon to Mrs. de Luc. When I returned here, to the
conclusion of the tea-drinking, I found a new gentleman, dressed in the
king's Windsor uniform--which is blue and gold, turned up with red,
and worn by all the men who belong to his majesty, and come into his
presence at Windsor.
Major Price immediately presented us to each other. It was General Bude:
what his post may be I have not yet learned, but he is continually, I
am told, at Windsor, and always resides in this Lodge, and eats with the
equerries.
I do not quite know what to say of General Bude; except that his person
is tall and showy, and his manners and appearance are fashionable. But
he has a sneer in his smile that looks sarcastic, and a distance in his
manner that seems haughty.