horse was at Kensington Square (honest Dapple knew the way
thither well enough) before the tipsy guest of last night was awake and
sober.

The account of the previous evening was known all over the town early next
day. A violent altercation had taken place before the queen in the
Council-chamber; and all the coffee-houses had their version of the
quarrel. The news brought my lord bishop early to Kensington Square, where
he awaited the waking of his royal master above stairs, and spoke
confidently of having him proclaimed as Prince of Wales and heir to the
throne before that day was over. The bishop had entertained on the
previous afternoon certain of the most influential gentlemen of the true
British party. His royal highness had charmed all, both Scots and English,
Papists and Churchmen: "Even Quakers," says he, "were at our meeting; and,
if the stranger took a little too much British punch and ale, he will soon
grow more accustomed to those liquors; and my Lord Castlewood," says the
bishop, with a laugh, "must bear the cruel charge of having been for once
in his life a little tipsy. He toasted your lovely sister a dozen times,
at which we all laughed," says the bishop, "admiring so much fraternal
affection.--Where is that charming nymph, and why doth she not adorn your
ladyship's tea-table with her bright eyes?" Her ladyship said, drily, that
Beatrix was not at home that morning; my lord bishop was too busy with
great affairs to trouble himself much about the presence or absence of any
lady, however beautiful.

We were yet at table when Dr. A---- came from the Palace with a look of
great alarm; the shocks the queen had had the day before had acted on her
severely; he had been sent for, and had ordered her to be blooded. The
surgeon of Long Acre had come to cup the queen, and her Majesty was now
more easy and breathed more freely. What made us start at the name of Mr.
Ayme? "_Il faut etre aimable pour etre aime_," says the merry doctor;
Esmond pulled his sleeve, and bade him hush. It was to Ayme's house, after
his fatal duel, that my dear Lord Castlewood, Frank's father, had been
carried to die.

No second visit could be paid to the queen on that day at any rate; and
when our guest above gave his signal that he was awake, the doctor, the
bishop, and Colonel Esmond waited upon the prince's levee, and brought him
their news, cheerful or dubious. The doctor had to go away presently, but
promised to keep the prince cons