ghness
observed it, and agreed that he ought to be remembered upon the first
opportunity, which happened soon after.

Montagu, as before mentioned, was master of the horse to the duchess:
he was possessed of a great deal of wit, had much penetration, and loved
mischief. How could she bear such a man near her person, in the present
situation of her heart? This greatly embarrassed her; but Montagu's
elder brother having, very a-propos, got himself killed where he had no
business, the duke obtained for Montagu the post of master of the horse
to the queen, which the deceased enjoyed; and the handsome Sidney was
appointed to succeed him in the same employment to the duchess. All this
happened according to her wish; and the duke was highly pleased that he
had found means to promote these two gentlemen at once, without being at
the least expense.

Miss Hobart greatly applauded these promotions: she had frequent and
long conversations with Sidney, which, being remarked, some did her the
honour to believe it was upon her own account; and the compliments that
were made her upon the occasion she most willingly received. The duke,
who believed it at first, observed to the duchess the unaccountable
taste of certain persons, and how the handsomest young fellow in England
was infatuated with such a frightful creature.

The duchess confessed that taste was very arbitrary; the truth whereof
he himself seemed to be convinced of, since he had fixed upon the
beauteous Helen for his mistress. I know not whether this raillery
caused him to reflect for what reasons he had made his choice; but it
is certain he began to cool in his affections for Miss Churchill;
and perhaps he would entirely have abandoned this pursuit, had not an
accident taken place, which raised in him an entirely new inclination
for her.

The court having halted for a few days in a fine open country, the
duchess was desirous of seeing a greyhound course. This diversion is
practised in England upon large downs, where the turf, eaten by the
sheep, is particularly green, and wonderfully even. She was in her
coach, and all the ladies on horseback, every one of them being attended
by her squire; it therefore was but reasonable that the mistress should
likewise have her squire. He accordingly was at the side of her coach,
and seemed to compensate for his deficiencies in conversation, by the
uncommon beauty of his mien and figure.

The duke attended Miss Churchill, not for t