Mr. and Mrs. Smelt and Mrs. Delany came to us at teatime. Then, and in
their society, I grew more easy and disengaged.
The sweet little Princess Amelia, who had promised me a visit, came
during tea, brought by Mrs. Cheveley. I left every body to play with
her, and Mr. Smelt joined in our gambols. We pretended to put her in a
phaeton, and to drive about and make visits with her. She entered into
the scheme with great spirit and delight, and we waited upon Mrs. Delany
and Mrs. Smelt alternately. Children are never tired of playing at being
women; and women there are who are never tired, in return, of playing at
being children!
In the midst of this frolicking, which at times was rather noisy, by Mr.
Smelt's choosing to represent a restive horse, the king entered! We all
stopped short, guests, hosts, and horses; and all, with equal celerity,
retreated, making the usual circle for his majesty to move in. The
little princess bore this interruption to her sport only while surprised
into quiet by the general respect inspired by the king. The instant that
wore off, she grew extremely impatient for the renewal of our gambols,
and distressed me most ridiculously by her innocent appeals.
“Miss Burney!--come!--why don't you play?--Come, Miss Burney, I say,
play with me!--come into the phaeton again!--why don't you, Miss
Burney?”
After a thousand vain efforts to quiet her by signs, I was forced to
whisper her that I really could play no longer.
“But why? why, Miss Burney?--do! do come and play with me!--You must,
Miss Burney!”
This petition growing still more and more urgent, I was obliged to
declare my reason, in hopes of appeasing her, as she kept pulling me by
the hand and gown, so entirely with all her little strength, that I had
the greatest difficulty to save myself from being suddenly jerked into
the middle of the room: at length, therefore, I whispered, “We shall
disturb the king, ma'am!”
This was enough; she flew instantly to his majesty, who was in earnest
discourse with Mr. Smelt, and called out, “Papa, go!”
“What?” cried the king.
“Go! papa,--you must go!” repeated she eagerly.
The king took her up in his arms, and began kissing and playing with
her; she strove with all her might to disengage herself, calling aloud
“Miss Burney! Miss Burney! take me--come, I say, Miss Burney!--O Miss
Burney, come!”
You may imagine what a general smile went round the room at this appeal:
the king took not any notice of it, but set her down, and went on with
his discourse. She was not, however, a moment quiet till he retired: and
then we renewed our diversions, which lasted to her bed-time.