This petition growing still more and more urgent, I was obliged to declare my reason, in hopes of appeasing her, as she kept pulling me by the hand and gown, so entirely with all her little strength, that I had the greatest difficulty to save myself from being suddenly jerked into the middle of the room: at length, therefore, I whispered, “We shall disturb the king, ma'am!”
This was enough; she flew instantly to his majesty, who was in earnest discourse with Mr. Smelt, and called out, “Papa, go!”
“What?” cried the king.
“Go! papa,—you must go!” repeated she eagerly.
The king took her up in his arms, and began kissing and playing with her; she strove with all her might to disengage herself, calling aloud “Miss Burney! Miss Burney! take me—come, I say, Miss Burney!—O Miss Burney, come!”
You may imagine what a general smile went round the room at this appeal: the king took not any notice of it, but set her down, and went on with his discourse. She was not, however, a moment quiet till he retired: and then we renewed our diversions, which lasted to her bed-time.
A DREADFUL MISHAP.
Nov. 6.—This morning happened my first disgrace of being too late for the queen—this noon, rather; for in a morning 'tis a disaster that has never arrived to this moment.
The affair thus came to pass. I walked for some time early in Kew gardens, and then called upon Mrs. Smelt. I there heard that the king and queen were gone, privately, to Windsor, to the Lodge—probably for some papers they could not intrust with a messenger. Mr. Smelt, therefore, proposed taking this opportunity of shewing me Richmond gardens, offering to be my security that I should have full time. I accepted the proposal with pleasure, and we set out upon our expedition. Our talk was almost all of the queen. Mr. Smelt wishes me to draw up her character. I owned to him that should it appear to me, on nearer and closer inspection, what it seemed to me then, the task could not be an unpleasant one.