Mr. Batt gave me a most kindly congratulatory bow upon his entrance. I knew his opinion of my retreat, and understood it: but I was encircled till the concluding part of the evening by the Pepys and Lady Rothes, etc.; and then Mr. Batt seated himself by my elbow, and began. “How I rejoice,” he cried, “to see you at length out of thraldom!”
“Thraldom?” quoth I, “that’s rather a strong word! I assure you ’tis the first time I have heard it pronounced full and plumply.”
“O, but,” cried he, laughing, “I may be allowed to say so, because you know my principles. You know me to be loyal; you could not stand it from an opposition-man—but saints may do much!”
He is a professed personal friend of Mr. Pitt.
I then began some exculpation of my late fatigues, assuring him they were the effect of a situation not understood, and not of any hardness of heart.
“Very probably,” cried he; “but I am glad you have ended them: I applaud—I honour the step you have taken. Those who suffer, yet still continue in fetters, I never pity;—there is a want of integrity, as well as spirit, in such submission.”
“Those they serve,” cried I, “are not the persons to blame; they are commonly uninformed there is anything to endure, and believe all is repaid by the smiles so universally solicited.”
“I know it,” cried he; “and it is that general base subservience that makes me struck with your opposite conduct.”
“My conduct,” quoth I, “was very simple; though I believe it did not the less surprise; but it all consisted in not pretending, when I found myself sinking, to be swimming.”
He said many other equally good-natured things, and finished them with “But what a pleasure it is to me to see you here in this manner, dressed no more than other people! I have not seen you these five years past but looking dressed out for the Drawing-room, or something as bad!” A SUMMONS FROM THE QUEEN.