These fancies, however, only regaled me while I continued a quiet spectator, and without expectation of being called into play. But the king, I have reason to think, meant only to give me time to recover from my first embarrassment; and I feel infinitely obliged to his good breeding and consideration, which perfectly answered, for before he returned to me, I was entirely recruited.
To go back to my narration.
When the discourse upon health and strength was over, the king went up to the table, and looked at a book of prints, from Claude Lorraine, which had been brought down for Miss Dewes; but Mrs. Delany, by mistake, told him they were for me. He turned over a leaf or two, and then said—
“Pray, does Miss Burney draw, too?”
The too was pronounced very civilly.
“I believe not, Sir,” answered Mrs. Delany “at least, she does not tell.”
“Oh!” cried he, laughing, “that's nothing; she is not apt to tell! she never does tell, you know!—Her father told me that himself. He told me the whole history of her 'Evelina.' And I shall never forget his face when he spoke of his feelings at first taking up the book!—he looked quite frightened, just as if he was doing it that moment! I never can forget his face while I live!”
THE KING CATEGORICALLY QUESTIONS Miss BURNEY.
Then coming up close to me, the king said—