ere is to be any ball in the city
tomorrow?" "No," said she; "but why do you ask?" "Because," said he, "I
am informed that my wife is making great preparations of dress. I know
very well she is not to be at the masquerade: that I have taken care of;
but as the devil is in her for dancing, I am very much afraid that she
will be affording some fresh subject for ridicule, notwithstanding all
my precautions: however, if it was amongst the citizens, at some private
party, I should not much mind it."

They satisfied him as well as they could, and having dismissed him,
under pretence of a thousand things they had to prepare for the next
day, Miss Hamilton thought herself at liberty for that morning, when
in came Miss Price, one of the maids of honour to the Duchess. This was
just what she was wishing for: This lady and Miss Blague had been at
variance some time, on account of Duncan, whom Miss Price had drawn away
from the other; and hatred still subsisted between these two divinities.

Though the maids of honour were not nominated for the masquerade, yet
they were to assist at it; and, consequently, were to neglect nothing to
set themselves off to advantage. Miss Hamilton had still another pair of
gloves of the same sort as those she had sent to Miss Blague, which she
made a present of to her rival, with a few knots of the same riband,
which appeared to have been made on purpose for her, brown as she was.
Miss Price returned her a thousand thanks, and promised to do herself
the honour of wearing them at the ball. "You will oblige me if you do,"
said Miss Hamilton, "but if you mention that such a trifle as this comes
from me, I shall never forgive you; but," continued she, "do not go and
rob poor Miss Blague of the Marquis Brisacier, as you already have of
Duncan: I know very well that it is wholly in your power: you have wit:
you speak French: and were he once to converse with you ever so little
the other could have no pretensions to him." This was enough: Miss
Blague was only ridiculous and coquettish: Miss Price was ridiculous,
coquettish, and something else besides.

The day being come, the court, more splendid than ever, exhibited all
its magnificence at this masquerade. The company were all met except the
Chevalier de Grammont: every body was astonished that he should be one
of the last at such a time, as his readiness was so remarkable on every
occasion; but they were still more surprised to see him at length appear
i