submissive gentleness
of her disposition became apparent. Timid almost to a fault, I sometimes
doubted whether to attribute her implicit obedience to my wishes, to the
habit of early dependence upon the caprice of those around her, or to
the resignation of a broken spirit. Still she did not appear unhappy.
The wearisome publicity and etiquette of the life she had been hitherto
compelled to lead, was most unsuitable to her taste for retirement; and
she enjoyed equally with myself the calm repose of a quiet home. When
she made it her first request to me that I would take the earliest
opportunity to retire from public life, and by settling on my
patrimonial estate release her from the slavery of a court, all my
former apprehensions vanished; and I began to flatter myself that
the love I had so fondly, so frankly, bestowed, had met with an
equal return. Prompt as we are to seize on every point which yields
confirmation to our secret wishes, and eagerly credulous, where the
entire happiness of our lives is dependent on our wilful self-deception,
is it wonderful that I mistook the calm fortitude of a well-regulated
mind for content, and the gratitude of a warm heart for affection? I
inquired not, I dared not inquire minutely into the past; I shrunk from
any question that might again disturb the serenity of my mind by jealous
fears. 'I will not speak of past storms on so bright a day,' said I
secretly while I gazed upon my gentle Theresa; 'it might break the
spell.' Alas! the spell endured not long; for however unwillingly, we
were now obliged to resume our situation at Whitehall.

"Our re-appearance at court was marked by the most flattering attentions
on the part of the King and Queen. Several brilliant fetes were given
by their Majesties on occasion of our marriage; and I began to fear that
the homage which everywhere seemed to await my young and lovely bride,
and the promising career of royal favour which opened to her view, might
weaken her inclination for the retirement we mediated. To me however she
constantly renewed her entreaties for a furtherance of her former wishes
on the subject; in consequence of which I declined the gracious offers
of his Majesty, who was at this time particularly desirous that I should
take a more active part in public measures, and accept a situation in
the new ministry which would formerly have placed the utmost bounds to
my ambition. I was now however only waiting a favourable opportunity, t