or the arrival
of the Marquis de Brisacier. Heaven seemed to have made them for each
other: he had in his person and manners every requisite to dazzle a
creature of her character he talked eternally, without saying anything,
and in his dress exceeded the most extravagant fashions. Miss Blague
believed that all this finery was on her account; and the Marquis
believed that her long eyelashes had never taken aim at any but himself:
everybody perceived their inclination for each other; but they had only
conversed by mute interpreters, when Miss Hamilton took it into her head
to intermeddle in their affairs.

She was willing to do everything in order, and therefore began with her
cousin Muskerry, on account of her rank. Her two darling foibles were
dress and dancing. Magnificence of dress was intolerable with her
figure; and though her dancing was still more insupportable, she never
missed a ball at court: and the queen had so much complaisance for the
public, as always to make her dance; but it was impossible to give her
a part in an entertainment so important and splendid as this masquerade:
however, she was dying with impatience for the orders she expected.

It was in consequence of this impatience, of which Miss Hamilton was
informed, that she founded the design of diverting herself at the
expense of this silly woman. The queen sent notes to those whom she
appointed to be present, and described the manner in which they were
to be dressed. Miss Hamilton wrote a note exactly in the same manner to
Lady Muskerry, with directions for her to be dressed in the Babylonian
fashion.

She assembled her counsel to advise about the means of sending it: this
cabinet was composed of one of her brothers and a sister, who were glad
to divert themselves at the expense of those who deserved it. After
having consulted some time, they at last resolved upon a mode of
conveying it into her own hands. Lord Muskerry was just going out, when
she received it: he was a man of honour, rather serious, very severe,
and a mortal enemy to ridicule. His wife's deformity was not so
intolerable to him, as the ridiculous figure she made upon all
occasions. He thought that he was safe in the present case, not
believing that the queen would spoil her masquerade by naming Lady
Muskerry as one of the dancers nevertheless, as he was acquainted with
the passion his wife had to expose herself in public, by her dress and
dancing, he had just been advising her ve