ll eleven.

"Having passed a few days in this place, I went home with him to his
house at Twickenham, and soon after we were presented at court, when the
queen was pleased to say to my lord's mother, she did not doubt that
we should be a happy couple, for I had been a good wife to my former
husband.

"Whatever deficiencies I had to complain of in my new spouse, he was
not wanting in point of liberality. I was presented with a very fine
chariot, studded with silver nails, and such a profusion of jewels as
furnished a joke to some of my acquaintance, who observed, that I
was formerly queen of hearts, but now metamorphosed into the queen of
diamonds. I now also had an opportunity, which I did not let slip, of
paying Lord W--'s debts from my privy purse; and on that score received
the thanks of his elder brother, who, though he had undertaken to
discharge them, delayed the execution of his purpose longer than I
thought they should remain unpaid. This uncommon splendour attracted the
eyes and envy of my competitors, who were the more implacable in their
resentments, because, notwithstanding my marriage, I was as much as
ever followed by the men of gallantry and pleasure, among whom it is
a constant maxim, that a woman never withholds her affections from her
husband, without an intention to bestow them somewhere else. I never
appeared without a train of admirers, and my house in the country was
always crowded with gay young men of quality.

"Among those who cultivated my good graces with the greatest skill and
assiduity, were the Earl C-- and Mr. S---, brother to Lord F--. The
former of whom, in the course of his addresses, treated me with an
entertainment of surprising magnificence, disposed into a dinner,
supper, and ball, to which I, at his desire, invited eleven ladies, whom
he paired with the like number of his own sex; so that the whole company
amounted to twenty-four. We were regaled with a most elegant dinner, in
an apartment which was altogether superb, and served by gentlemen
only, no livery servant being permitted to come within the door. In the
afternoon we embarked in two splendid barges, being attended by a band
of music in a third; and enjoyed a delightful evening upon the river
till the twilight, when we returned and began the ball, which was
conducted with such order and taste, that mirth and good-humour
prevailed. No dissatisfaction appeared, except in the countenance of one
old maid, since married to a s