esa, and questioned me as to the
progress of my suit, he told me that Miss Marchmont's dejection was
generally attributed to her regret, for the loss of Lady Wriothesly, the
kind patroness who had first recommended her to his protection, and by
whose death, immediately before my return from Holland, she had lost her
only surviving friend. 'It remains to be proved,' added he, 'whether her
lingering affection for the memory of an old woman will yield readily to
her dawning attachment for her future husband.'

"Another suspicion sometimes crossed my mind, but in so uncertain a
form, that I could scarcely myself resolve the nature of the evil I
apprehended. I observed that Theresa constantly and anxiously watched
the eye of the king, whenever she formed a part of the royal suite; and
if she perceived his attention fixed on herself, or if he chanced to
approach the spot where she stood, she would turn abruptly to me, and
enter into conversation with an air of _empressement_, as though to
confirm his opinion of our mutual good understanding. Upon one occasion
as I passed through the gallery leading to the Queen's apartments, I
found His Majesty standing in the embrasure of a window, in earnest
conversation with Miss Marchmont. They did not at first perceive me; and
I had leisure to observe that Theresa was agitated even to tears. She
turned round at the sound of approaching footsteps, but betrayed no
distress at my surprising her in this unusual situation. In reply
to some observation of the King's, she answered with a respectful
inclination, 'Sir, I will not forget;' and left the gallery; while
Charles, gaily taking my arm, led me into the adjoining saloon, and
informed me that he had been pleading my cause with my fair tormentor,
as he was pleased to term her.

"'The worst torment I can be called to endure, Sire,' said I haughtily,
'is longer suspense; and I must earnestly request your Majesty's
gracious intercession of Miss Marchmont's early reply to my application
for the honour of her hand. Should it be refused, I must further entreat
your Majesty's permission to resign the post I so unworthily hold, in
order that I may be enabled to pass some years on the continent.'

"Charles appeared both startled and displeased by the firm tone of
resolution I had assumed. 'Were I inclined for idle altercation,'
answered he coldly, 'I might argue something for the dignity of the
fair sex, who have ever claimed their prescriptive ri