I
had offered; and added, "I assure you, madam, you are more in the good
graces of my master, the Prince of ----, than you are aware of; and I
believe you will hear more of him."

Now I began to understand him, and resolved, if his Highness did come
again, he should see me under no disadvantages, if I could help it. I
told him, if his Highness did me the honour to see me again, I hoped he
would not let me be so surprised as I was before; that I would be glad
to have some little notice of it, and would be obliged to him if he
would procure it me. He told me he was very sure that when his Highness
intended to visit me he should be sent before to give me notice of it,
and that he would give me as much warning of it as possible.

He came several times after this on the same errand, that is, about the
settlement, the grant requiring several things yet to be done for making
it payable without going every time to the prince again for a fresh
warrant. The particulars of this part I did not understand; but as soon
as it was finished, which was above two months, the gentleman came one
afternoon, and said his Highness designed to visit me in the evening,
but desired to be admitted without ceremony.

I prepared not my rooms only, but myself; and when he came in there was
nobody appeared in the house but his gentleman and my maid Amy; and of
her I bid the gentleman acquaint his Highness that she was an
Englishwoman, that she did not understand a word of French, and that she
was one also that might be trusted.

When he came into my room, I fell down at his feet before he could come
to salute me, and with words that I had prepared, full of duty and
respect, thanked him for his bounty and goodness to a poor, desolate
woman, oppressed under the weight of so terrible a disaster; and refused
to rise till he would allow me the honour to kiss his hand.

"_Levez vous donc_," says the prince, taking me in his arms; "I design
more favours for you than this trifle;" and going on, he added, "You
shall for the future find a friend where you did not look for it, and I
resolve to let you see how kind I can be to one who is to me the most
agreeable creature on earth."

I was dressed in a kind of half mourning, had turned off my weeds, and
my head, though I had yet no ribands or lace, was so dressed as failed
not to set me out with advantage enough, for I began to understand his
meaning; and the prince professed I was the most beautiful creatur