Monday, July 8.-I rose at six, and was called to the
queen soon after seven. Only Mrs. Schwellenberg
was with her, and again she made me a mere looker-on;
and the obligation I felt to her sent me somewhat
lighter hearted from her presence.
When she was dressed, in a simple morning gown, she
had her hat and cloak put on, to go to prayers at
eight o’clock, at the king’s chapel in
the Castle; and I returned to my room.
At noon came my dear father, and spent an hour or
two with me—so happy! so contented! so
big with every pleasant expectation!—I
rejoice to recollect that I did nothing, said nothing
this morning to check his satisfaction; it was now,
suddenly and at once, all my care to increase his
delight. And so henceforward it must invariably
continue.
We parted cheerfully on* both sides; yet I saw a little
pang in his last embrace, and felt it in his dear
hands :-but I kept myself well up, and he left me,
I really believe, without a wish ungratified.
At dressing-time the same quiet conduct was still
observed by the queen—fixed in her benign
determination to permit me to recover breath and ease,
ere she gave me any other trial than merely standing
in her presence.
At dinner we—I mean Mrs. Schwellenberg
and myself-had Miss Planta and Colonel Polier; and
I was happy to be again diverted with the excess of
his satisfaction at sight of turtle upon the table.
in the evening I had a visit from Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave,
who brought her sister, Lady Caroline Waldegrave,
both to pay congratulatory compliments. Lady
Elizabeth is lady of the bedchamber to the princess
royal, and lives in this Lodge. 341
Her sister, by the queen’s, goodness, is permitted
to spend .some months of every year with her.
They were left orphans at about sixteen: the
queen instantly took them both under her protection.
They are gentle and well bred, and seem very amiable.
They stayed with me till it was time for them to
go into waiting for the princess royal, whom they
attend to the Terrace.
My dearest Mrs. Delany came again, to visit me wholly,
and drink tea with me. We had a thousand things
to discuss, but were scarce a moment together before
we were interrupted by Madame de la Fite, who, however,
only stayed to give and receive from Mrs. Delany congratulations
on meeting in my room at Windsor, and then she pretty
soon took leave.
We had but again arranged ourselves to a little comfort,
when a tat-tat at my door followed, and a lady entered
whom I had never seen before, with a very courteous
air and demeanour, saying, “I could not defer
paying my compliments to Miss Burney, and wishing
her much joy, which we must all feel in such an accession
to our society: I must get my daughter to introduce
me.” And then advanced Mrs. Fielding, and
I found this was Lady Charlotte Finch.
