ariety of those dishes and liquors which she liked best. These
qualifications had rendered her necessary; but, desirous of being still
more so, and having perceived both the airs that Sidney gave himself,
and what was passing in the heart of her mistress, the cunning Hobart
took the liberty of telling her royal highness that this unfortunate
youth was pining away solely on her account; that it was a thousand
pities a man of his figure should lose the respect for her which was
most certainly her due, merely because she had reduced him to such a
state that he could no longer preserve it; that he was gradually dying
away on her account, in the sight of the whole court; that his situation
would soon be generally remarked, except she made use of the proper
means to prevent it; that, in her opinion, her royal highness ought to
pity the miserable situation into which her charms had reduced him, and
to endeavour to alleviate his pain in some way or other. The duchess
asked her what she meant by "endeavouring to alleviate his pain in some
way or other." "I mean, madam," answered Miss Hobart, "that, if either
his person be disagreeable, or his passion troublesome, you will give
him his discharge; or, if you choose to retain him in your service, as
all the princesses in the world would do in your place, you will permit
me to give him directions from you for his future conduct, mixed with a
few grains of hope, to prevent his entirely losing his senses, until
you find a proper occasion yourself to acquaint him with your wishes."
"What!" said the duchess, "would you advise me, Hobart--you, who really
love me--to engage in an affair of this nature, at the expense of my
honour, and the hazard of a thousand inconveniences! If such frailties
are sometimes excusable, they certainly are not so in the high station
in which I am placed; and it would be an ill-requital on my part for his
goodness who raised me to the rank I now fill to----" "All this is very
fine," interrupted Miss Hobart: "but is it not very well known that he
only married you because he was importuned so to do? Since that I refer
to yourself whether he has ever restrained his inclination a single
moment, giving you the most convincing proofs of the change that has
taken place in his heart, by a thousand provoking infidelities? Is it
still your intention to persevere in a state of indolence and humility,
whilst the duke, after having received the favours, or suffered the
repul