een, as one whom
he regarded equally as an affectionate friend, and as one of the most
faithful servants of the crown. Thus introduced to her notice, it is not
wonderful that my homage was most graciously received, and that I was
frequently invited to renew it by admission into the evening circle at
Whitehall. The very night after my arrival in London, I was called upon
to assist at a masque given on the anniversary of the royal nuptials,
at which their majesties alone, and their immediate attendants, were
unmasqued. The latter, indeed, were habited in character; but among
the splendidly-attired group of the maids of honour, I was surprised at
perceiving one, in a costume of deep mourning. Her extreme beauty and
the grace of her demeanour excited an immediate interest in her favour;
and her sable suit only served to render yet more brilliant, the
exquisite fairness and purity of her complexion.

"It was not so much the regular cast of her features as their sweet and
pensive expression which produced so strong an effect on the feelings.
At the moment I was first struck by her appearance, I happened to be
conversing with His Majesty who was making the tour of the apartment,
graciously leaning on my arm; and my attention was so completely
captivated by her surpassing loveliness, that the king could not fail
to perceive my absence of mind. 'How now, Charles, how now,' said he
kindly, 'twenty-four hours in the capital, and beauty-struck already?
which among our simple English maidens hath the merit of thus gaining
the approval of thy travelled eyes?--what Venus hath bribed the purer
taste of our new Paris? Ha! let me see--Lady Joscelyn? Lady--No! by
heaven,' said he following my looks, 'it is as I could wish, Theresa
Marchmont herself. How, man--knowest thou not the daughter of our old
comrade, who fell at my side in the unfortunate affair at Worcester?'

"The king took on an early opportunity of making my admiration known
to Her Majesty; and of requesting her permission for my introduction to
Miss Marchmont; who, although born of a family distinguished only by
its loyalty to the house of Stuart, having been recommended to the royal
attention from the loss of her only surviving parent in its cause, had
sufficiently won the good will of the monarch, by her beauty and elegant
accomplishments, to obtain a distinguished post about the person of the
new Queen.

"From this period, admitted as I was into the domestic circle of th