I assented; and the king continued his relation, which she listened to with a look of some interest; but when he told her some particulars of my secrecy, she again spoke to me.
“But! your sister was your confidant, was she not?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
My sisters, I might have said, but I was always glad to have done.
“Oh, yes!” cried the king, laughing, “but I assure you she is of Baretti's opinion herself; for I asked her if she thought it was her sister or her brother that betrayed her to her father?—and she says her sister, she thinks.”
Poor Esther!—but I shall make her amends by what follows; for the queen, again addressing me, said—
“But to betray to a father is no crime-don't you think so?”
I agreed; and plainly saw she thought Esther, if Esther it was, had only done right.
The king then went on, and when he had finished his narration the queen took her seat. She made Mrs. Delany sit next her, and Miss Port brought her some tea.