“Why, I thought you said you should always wear them?”
“Oh, yes, but I have changed my mind since then--as many people do.”
“Well, I think it vastly disagreeable indeed,” said the other, “you can't think how I am encumbered with these ruffles!”
“Oh I am quite oppressed with them,” said Mrs. Hampden, “I can hardly bear myself up.”
“And I dined in this way!” cried the other; “only think--dining in a sacque!”
“Oh,” answered Mrs. Hampden, “it really puts me quite out of spirits.”
After this they found some subject less popular, and the lady unknown leaned over me, without any ceremony, to whisper with Mrs. Hampden. I should have offered her my place if she had made any apology, but as it was, I thought she might take her own way. In the course of the evening, however, I had the pleasure to observe a striking change in her manners; for as soon as she picked up, I know not how, my name, she ceased her whispering, looked at me with the civilest smiles, spoke to me two or three times, and calling to a fine beau, said--
“Do pray sit this way, that you may screen Miss Burney as well as me from that fire.”
I did not, however, sufficiently like her beginning, to accept her challenge of talking, and only coldly answered by yes, no, or a bow.
AT MISS MONCKTON'S: “CECILIA” EXTOLLED BY THE “OLD WITS,” AND BY BURKE.
Then came in Sir Joshua Reynolds, and he soon drew a chair near mine, and from that time I was never without some friend at my elbow.
“Have you seen,” said he, “Mrs. Montagu lately?”
“Oh, you must see her, then. You ought to see and to hear her--'t will be worth your while. Have you heard of the fine long letter she has written?”
“The old Duchess of Portland.[161] She desired Mrs. Montagu's opinion of 'Cecilia,' and she has written it at full length. I was in a party at her grace's, and heard of nothing but you. She is so delighted, and so sensibly, so rationally, that I only wish you could have heard her. And old Mrs. Delany had been forced to begin it, though she had said she should never read any more; however, when we met, she was reading it already for the third time.”
After this Mrs. Burke saw me, and with much civility and softness of manner, came and talked with me, while her husband without seeing me, went behind my chair to speak to Mrs Hampden.