warmly to compassionate the distress which had robbed
her favourite of all presence of mind; and rising evidently to divert
the attention of the circle, whose malignant smiles were instantly
repressed, she invited us to follow her into the adjoining gallery, at
that time occupied by Sir Peter Lely for the completion of his exquisite
series of portraits of the beauties of Charles's court. In their own
idle comments and petty jealousies arising from the resemblances before
them, Lady Greville was forgotten.

"While I was deliberating the following morning, in what manner I could
with delicacy interrogate Theresa on the extraordinary scene I had
witnessed, I was surprised by her sudden but firm declaration that
she could not, _would not_ longer remain in the royal suite, and she
concluded by imploring me on her knees, as I valued her peace of mind,
her health, her salvation, to remove her instantly to Silsea. 'I have
obtained her Majesty's private sanction,' said she, shewing me a billet
in the hand-writing of the queen, 'and it only remains for you publicly
to give in our resignation.' The letter was written in French, and
contained the following words: 'Go, my beloved Theresa--dearly as I
prize your society, I feel that our mutual happiness can only be ensured
by the retirement you so prudently meditate. May it be a consolation
to you to reflect that you must ever be remembered with respect and
gratitude by, 'Your affectionate friend.'

"The terms of this billet surprised me, and I began to request an
explanation, when Theresa interrupted me by saying hastily, 'Do not
question me, for I cannot at present open my mind to you--but satisfy
yourself that when I linked my fate to yours in the sight of God and
man, your honour and happiness became precious to me as my own; and
may He desert me in my hour of need, if in aught I fail to consult your
reputation and peace of mind. Let me pray of you to leave this place
without delay. I know that you will urge against me the benefit of
avoiding the various surmises which will arise from the apparent
precipitancy of our retreat; but trust to me, my lord, that it is a
necessary measure, and that we have nothing to fear from the opposition
of the king.

"The pretext we adopted for our hasty retirement from public life was
the delicate state of Lady Greville's health, who was within a few
months of becoming a mother; and having hastily passed through the
necessary ceremonies, we aga