A little incident happened afterwards that gave me great satisfaction
in perspective. While I was drinking coffee with Mrs. Schwellenberg,
a message was brought to me, that Mrs. and Miss Heberden[209] desired
their compliments, and would come to drink tea with me if I was
disengaged.
To drink tea with me! The words made me colour. I hesitated,--I knew not
if I might accept such an offer. With regard to themselves, I had little
or no interest in it, as they were strangers to me, but with regard
to such an opening to future potentiality,--there, indeed, the message
acquired consequence. After keeping the man some minutes, I was so much
at a loss, still, to know what step I had power to take, that I was
induced to apply to Mrs. Schwellenberg, asking her what I must do.
“What you please!” was her answer; and I waited nothing more explicit,
but instantly sent back my compliments, and that I should be very glad
of their company.
This was a most happy event to me: it first let me know the possibility
of receiving a friend in my own room to tea.
They left me before the tea-party assembled in our common room. It was
very much crowded, everybody being anxious to hear news of the queen.
When they were all gone but Mrs. Delany, Mrs. Schwellenberg made us
both very happy by a private communication that the Prince of Wales was
actually then in the Lodge, whither he rode post haste, on the first
news of the alarm given to the queen.