“'Evelina'” repeated he; “has Mrs. Montagu then found out 'Evelina?'”
“Yes,” cried she, “and I am proud of it: I am proud that a work so commended should be a woman's.”
How my face burnt!
“Has Mrs. Montagu,” asked Dr. Johnson, “read 'Evelina?'”
“No, sir, not yet; but I shall immediately, for I feel the greatest eagerness to read it.”
“I am very sorry, madam,” replied he, “that you have not already, read it, because you cannot speak of it with a full conviction of its merit: which, I believe, when you have read it, you will have great pleasure in acknowledging.”
Some other things were said, but I remember them not, for I could hardly keep my place: but my sweet, naughty Mrs. Thrale looked delighted for me....
When they were gone, how did Dr. Johnson astonish me by asking if I had observed what an ugly cap Miss Gregory had on? Then taking both my hands, and looking at me with an expression of much kindness, he said,
“Well, Miss Burney, Mrs. Montagu now will read 'Evelina'”....
Mrs. Thrale then told me such civil things. Mrs. Montagu, it seems, during my retreat, inquired very particularly what kind of book it was?