we might submit; but fly! I charge ye once more, all ye who would save your ears from being drenched with the torrent of her sempiternal silliness."

At first Jocelyn imagined that this was the introduction to some new mummery, such as he had witnessed in the King's party, and that the apparent terror with which the auditors fled at the anouncement was but to give effect to the intended joke. But he was soon undeceived by the apparition of a tall, thin, eager-looking woman, whose long chin and lank jaws seemed to have been attenuated by their own incessant motion. Making up directly to her victim, she exclaimed in a sharp and rapid voice, "Ah! Mr. Compton, how do? saw a strange face, so asked who it was, and found you out. Knew Sir John many years ago; understand he has married a Dutch vrouw; how very odd! He! he! -La! I wonder I can laugh, having so lately lost my poor sister Fanny; only buried last Thursday week. Sir John has often played at ombre with her at Grinstead House. Dare say you think I'm very dull, but assure you I'm generally the life of the company. Heigho! isn't it shocking to wear black crape and bugles, when all the world's so gay in colours and diamonds. There's Lord Arlington with his staff of office. How do, Lord Arlington? well, I do think that frightful black patch upon nose gets bigger and bigger.* Poor Fanny! it was

his

* From an honourable wound received in the civil wars, he was always obliged to wear a black patch.

only last month--there goes Lord Oxford ! you have

heard of course that he has taken the Roxalana off the stage. However, she had a handsome funeral, a much finer sight than the presentation of the Muscovy ambassadors at the Banqueting-house. She was always my favourite sis-La! what a splendid sword you have got! are they real diamonds? Ah, Sir Charles Sedley! how do, how do? Did you ever hear such a shocking affair as his and Lord Buckhurst's at Oxford Kate's? They fined him 500l. though, and made him give bond for 5000l. for his future-Gemini! what a delicious smell! Oh Count de Grammont! I could have sworn to the essence of your perriwig. Is it frangessan, or calembue, or ambrette? You promised me a fillagree casket of mille-fleurs, and to fill my silver flask with tuberose from Marechal's. Oh you traitor! to forget me! Only think, Mr. Compton! 'tis but three weeks since poor Fanny and I—that's silly old Lord Chandois; I really wish he wouldn't sing psalms so horribly out of tune at Whitehall-chapel.-My dear Mrs. Wells! delighted to see you; how beautiful you 're looking! what sweet silk stockings with gold clocks and charming little diamond buckles ! Allow me; one of your crêve-cœurs, or meurtrières as some call them,* have fallen a little too near the confidantes. What superb point-d'Espagne cor

*Two small curled locks at the nape of the neck. + Small curls near the ears.

nets!* There, that will do nicely. Did you get any thing by Sir Arthur Slingsby's lottery at Whitehall? No more did I! What a hurry you are in; good bye. Is it true, Mr. Compton, that the King has left her for Mrs.? By the bye, have you seen the new coin with the likeness of Mrs. Stewart in the figure of Britannia? Well, poor Fanny, as I was telling you--I'm sure I never saw her look better in my life.I shall never think of the day without crying-He! He! do for Heaven's sake look. at the Duchess of Newcastle; was there ever such a figure? She has never altered her dress since she sang, Like the Damask rose,' and danced the Canaries, Selenger's Round, or the Spanish Pavan, thirty years ago. Have you seen her in the Mall with her two black pages, in velvet liveries, to hold up the fringe of her Spagnolet? How do, Duchess of Buckingham? Vastly well, thank ye. What a beautiful diamond Venez-ámoi. By the bye, Mr. Compton, have you seen my new liveries, cinnamon suit, lined with philamott-coloured mohair, silver buttons, and a broad mixed lace of carnation, black, blue, gold, and white? Isn't it pretty? I've been up all night reading poor Fanny's will: couldn't eat a mouthful of breakfast: when the heart's full,

* Upper pinners falling about the cheeks.

A breast-knot so called.

you know--Heigho!-How do you like the Fontanges curl ?"*

This being the first break or pause that had occurred in her ladyship's voluble effusion; for she never waited for an answer to any of her numerous interrogatives, and none of the other parties, whom she attacked en passant, had stopped to encounter a second volley, Jocelyn made a bow of departure, hoping to effect his escape. But the delight she experienced in getting hold of a new listener, particularly one who had heard nothing of poor sister Fanny, was too keen to be so easily relinquished, and nothing less than Sir George Etherege's desperate expedient of cutting himself from his button would have accomplished Jocelyn's liberation. "La! Mr. Compton," continued his garrulous persecutor, "I forgot to show you my mourning ring ; that 's poor Fanny's hair.-How do, Lord Suffolk ? So the King and Sir Arthur beat you and Chesterfield at tennis this morning.-Isn't it prettily set? What do you think of this strange story of the invisible drummer in Mr. Mompesson's haunted house, and Glanville's book upon the subject?-How do, Sir Car Scroop? How do, Lord Bristol?-Isn't it a mysterious affair?-Were you at St. George's Feast at Windsor? Wasn't it pretty to see the Duke of Monmouth dancing with the Queen with

* A top-knot introduced by the lady of that name, one of the mistresses of Louis XIV.

his hat in his hand, and how fondly the King kissed him and made him put on his hat? Are you fond of dancing?-so am I. But I can't now, you know. I'm sure, if poor Fanny had been aware of this ball, she wouldn't have Heavens! here comes Lady Castlemaine quite loaded with jewels. Well she may, when the King has lavished upon her all the Christmas presents made to him by the Peers. Have you seen Lely's picture of her, and did you hear of her squabbles with Lady Gerrard and the Duchess of Richmond ?"*

Jocelyn now perceived, that the King was leading Lady Castlemaine by the hand, and in the bustle occasioned by the advance of the knot of courtiers that followed them, he contrived to slip away from his loquacious tormentor. Her ladyship was even more resplendent with jewels, and arrayed with more gorgeous magnificence than when he had danced with her in the King's apartments. Many, as she came forward, curious to witness the result of this experiment upon the Queen's patience, followed the party until they approached her chair, when the King presented by name his titled,concubine, who bowed proudly, not to say disdainfully, to her royal rival. To the utter amazement of the whole circle, her Majesty graciously

* The latter told her she resembled Jane Shore in person, and expressed a hope that she might come to the same end.