those present at it, and to the Prince himself, whether he should
declare that it was the Queen's own brother, or the brother of Beatrix
Esmond, who kissed her Royal hand. And this plan being determined on,
we were all waiting in very much anxiety for the day and signal of
execution.

Two mornings after that supper, it being the 27th day of July, the
Bishop of Rochester breakfasting with Lady Castlewood and her family,
and the meal scarce over, Doctor A.'s coach drove up to our house at
Kensington, and the Doctor appeared amongst the party there, enlivening
a rather gloomy company; for the mother and daughter had had words in
the morning in respect to the transactions of that supper, and other
adventures perhaps, and on the day succeeding. Beatrix's haughty spirit
brooked remonstrances from no superior, much less from her mother, the
gentlest of creatures, whom the girl commanded rather than obeyed. And
feeling she was wrong, and that by a thousand coquetries (which she
could no more help exercising on every man that came near her, than the
sun can help shining on great and small) she had provoked the Prince's
dangerous admiration, and allured him to the expression of it, she was
only the more wilful and imperious the more she felt her error.

To this party, the Prince being served with chocolate in his bedchamber,
where he lay late, sleeping away the fumes of his wine, the Doctor came,
and by the urgent and startling nature of his news, dissipated instantly
that private and minor unpleasantry under which the family of Castlewood
was laboring.

He asked for the guest; the guest was above in his own apartment: he
bade Monsieur Baptiste go up to his master instantly, and requested that
MY LORD VISCOUNT CASTLEWOOD would straightway put his uniform on, and
come away in the Doctor's coach now at the door.

He then informed Madam Beatrix what her part of the comedy was to
be:--"In half an hour," says he, "her Majesty and her favorite lady
will take the air in the Cedar-walk behind the new Banqueting-house. Her
Majesty will be drawn in a garden-chair, Madam Beatrix Esmond and HER
BROTHER, MY LORD VISCOUNT CASTLEWOOD, will be walking in the private
garden, (here is Lady Masham's key,) and will come unawares upon the
Royal party. The man that draws the chair will retire, and leave the
Queen, the favorite, and the maid of honor and her brother together;
Mistress Beatrix will present her brother, and then!--and then, my Lord
B