e better
informed of my fate, by the present I send you: you will wear knots of
this riband in your hair; and these gloves will kiss the most beautiful
hands in the universe."

This billet, with the present, was delivered to Miss Blague with the
same success as the other had been conveyed to Lady Muskerry. Miss
Hamilton had just received an account of it, when the latter came to pay
her a visit: something seemed to possess her thoughts very much;
when, having stayed some time, her cousin desired her to walk into her
cabinet. As soon as they were there: "I desire your secrecy for what
I am going to tell you," said Lady Muskerry. "Do not you wonder what
strange creatures men are? Do not trust to them, my dear cousin: my Lord
Muskerry, who, before our marriage, could have passed whole days and
nights in seeing me dance, thinks proper now to forbid me dancing, and
says it does not become me. This is not all: he has so often rung in my
ears the subject of this masquerade, that I am obliged to hide from him
the honour the queen has done me, in inviting me to it. However, I am
surprised I am not informed who is to be my partner: but if you knew
what a plague it is, to find out, in this cursed town, in what manner
the people of Babylon dress, you would pity me for what I have suffered
since the time I have been appointed: besides, the cost which it puts me
to is beyond all imagination."

Here it was that Miss Hamilton's inclination to laugh, which had
increased in proportion as she endeavoured to suppress it, at length
overcame her, and broke out in an immoderate fit: Lady Muskerry took it
in good humour, not doubting but it was the fantastical conduct of
her husband that she was laughing at. Miss Hamilton told her that all
husbands were much the same, and that one ought not to be concerned
at their whims; that she did not know who was to be her partner at the
masquerade; but that, as she was named, the gentleman named with
her would certainly not fail to attend her; although she could not
comprehend why he had not yet declared himself, unless he likewise had
some fantastical spouse, who had forbid him to dance.

This conversation being finished, Lady Muskerry went away in great
haste, to endeavour to learn some news of her partner. Those who were
accomplices in the plot were laughing very heartily at this visit, when
Lord Muskerry paid them one in his turn, and taking Miss Hamilton aside:
"Do you know," said he, "whether th