was every way as new, and pleased much better
indeed.

As soon as they had shown their Georgian and Armenian shapes, and
danced, as I have said, three times, they withdrew, paid their
compliment to me (for I was queen of the day), and went off to undress.

Some gentlemen then danced with ladies all in masks; and when they
stopped, nobody rose up to dance, but all called out "Roxana, Roxana."
In the interval, my Lord ---- had brought another masked person into my
room, who I knew not, only that I could discern it was not the same
person that led me out before. This noble person (for I afterwards
understood it was the Duke of ----), after a short compliment, led me
out into the middle of the room.

I was dressed in the same vest and girdle as before, but the robe had a
mantle over it, which is usual in the Turkish habit, and it was of
crimson and green, the green brocaded with gold; and my tyhiaai, or
head-dress, varied a little from that I had before, as it stood higher,
and had some jewels about the rising part, which made it look like a
turban crowned.

I had no mask, neither did I paint, and yet I had the day of all the
ladies that appeared at the ball, I mean of those that appeared with
faces on. As for those masked, nothing could be said of them, no doubt
there might be many finer than I was; it must be confessed that the
habit was infinitely advantageous to me, and everybody looked at me with
a kind of pleasure, which gave me great advantage too.

After I had danced with that noble person, I did not offer to dance by
myself, as I had before; but they all called out "Roxana" again; and two
of the gentlemen came into the drawing-room to entreat me to give them
the Turkish dance, which I yielded to readily, so I came out and danced
just as at first.

While I was dancing, I perceived five persons standing all together, and
among them only one with his hat on. It was an immediate hint to me who
it was, and had at first almost put me into some disorder; but I went
on, received the applause of the house, as before, and retired into my
own room. When I was there, the five gentlemen came across the room to
my side, and, coming in, followed by a throng of great persons, the
person with his hat on said, "Madam Roxana, you perform to admiration."
I was prepared, and offered to kneel to kiss his hand, but he declined
it, and saluted me, and so, passing back again through the great room,
went away.

I do not say here wh