th twins; and the queen, who envied her condition, notwithstanding
the ridiculous appearance she then made, being made acquainted with the
motive of her journey, was determined to gratify her inclinations.

As soon as the hour for country dances arrived, her cousin Hamilton was
appointed her partner: she made some faint excuses at first on account
of the inconvenient situation she was then in: but soon suffered them to
be overcome, in order, as she said, to show her duty to the queen; and
never did a woman in this world enjoy such complete satisfaction.

We have already observed, that the greatest prosperity is liable to the
greatest change: Lady Muskerry, trussed up as she was, seemed to feel no
manner of uneasiness from the motion in dancing; on the contrary, being
only apprehensive of the presence of her husband, which would have
destroyed all her happiness, she danced with uncommon briskness, lest
her ill stars should bring him back before she had fully satisfied
herself with it. In the midst, therefore, of her capering in this
indiscreet manner, her cushion came loose, without her perceiving it,
and fell to the ground in the very middle of the first round. The Duke
of Buckingham, who watched her, took it up instantly, wrapped it up in
his coat, and, mimicking the cries of a new-born infant, he went about
inquiring for a nurse for the young Muskerry among the maids of honour.

This buffoonery, joined to the strange figure of the poor lady, had
almost thrown Miss Stewart into hysterics; for the princess of Babylon,
after this accident, was quite flat on one side, and immoderately
protuberant on the other. All those who had before suppressed their
inclinations to laugh, now gave themselves free scope, when they saw
that Miss Stewart was ready to split her sides. The poor lady was
greatly disconcerted: every person was officious to console her; but
the queen, who inwardly laughed more heartily than any, pretended to
disapprove of their taking such liberties.

Whilst Miss Hamilton and Mrs. Wetenhall endeavoured to refit Lady
Muskerry in another room, the Duke of Buckingham told the king that,
if the physicians would permit a little exercise immediately after a
delivery, the best way to recover Lady Muskerry was to renew the dance
as soon as ever her infant was replaced; this advice was approved,
and accordingly put in execution. The queen proposed, as soon as she
appeared, a second round of country-dances; and Lady Mu