A HASTY INTRODUCTION To LADY HARCOURT.
Miss Planta, followed by poor me, then whisked backwards and forwards, from one of the apartments to another, superintending all the preparations; and, as we were crossing a landing-place, a lady appeared upon the stairs, and Miss Planta called out “It's Lady Harcourt,” and ran down to meet her.
They talked together a few minutes. “I must get you, Miss Planta,” said she, looking up towards me, “to introduce me to Miss Burney.”
She then came up the stairs, said she was glad to see me, and desired I would order any thing I wanted, either for the queen or for myself. Cold enough was my silent curtsey.
She talked again to Miss Planta, who, already knowing her, from seeing her frequently when in waiting, as she is one of the ladies of the bedchamber, was much more sociable than myself. She afterwards turned to me, and said, “If there is anything you want, Miss Burney, pray speak for it.” And she added, “My sisters will attend you presently;—you will excuse me,—I have not a moment from their majesties.” And then she curtseyed, and left us.
We returned to the Princess Elizabeth's room, and there the tea followed, but not the promised sisters. I never saw Miss Planta laugh so heartily before nor since; but my dismay was possibly comical to behold.