Lord Taaffe, eldest son of the Earl of Carlingford, was supposed to be in love with her; and Miss Warmestre not only imagined it was so, but likewise persuaded herself that he would not fail to marry her the first opportunity; and in the mean time she thought it her duty to entertain him with all the civility imaginable.  Taaffe had made the Duke of Richmond his confidant:  these two were particularly attached to each other; but still more so to wine.  The Duke of Richmond, notwithstanding his birth, made but an indifferent figure at court; and the king respected him still less than his courtiers did:  and perhaps it was in order to court his majesty’s favour that he thought proper to fall in love with Miss Stewart.  The Duke and Lord Taaffe made each other the confidants of their respective engagements; and these were the measures they took to put their designs in execution.  Little Mademoiselle de la Gardet was charged to acquaint Miss Stewart that the Duke of Richmond was dying of love for her, and that when he ogled her in public it was a certain sign that he was ready to marry her, as soon as ever she would consent.

Taaffe had no commission to give the little ambassadress for Miss Warmestre; for there everything was already arranged; but she was charged to settle and provide some conveniences which were still wanting for the freedom of their commerce, such as to have free egress and regress to her at all hours of the day or night:  this appeared difficult to be obtained, but it was, however, at length accomplished.

The governess of the maids of honour, who for the world would not have connived at anything that was not fair and honourable, consented that they should sup as often as they pleased in Miss Warmestre’s apartments, provided their intentions were honourable, and she one of the company.  The good old lady was particularly fond of green oysters, and had no aversion to Spanish wine:  she was certain of finding at every one of these suppers two barrels of oysters; one to be eaten with the party, and the other for her to carry away:  as soon, therefore, as she had taken her dose of wine, she took her leave of the company.

It was much about the time that the Chevalier de Grammont had cast his eyes upon Miss Warmestre, that this kind of life was led in her chamber.  God knows how many ham pies, bottles of wine, and other products of his lordship’s liberality were there consumed!

In the midst of these nocturnal festivals, and of this innocent commerce, a relation of Killegrew’s came up to London about a lawsuit:  he gained his cause, but nearly lost his senses.

He was a country gentleman, who had been a widower about six months, and was possessed of fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds a-year:  the good man, who had no business at court, went thither merely to see his cousin Killegrew, who could have dispensed with his visits.  He there saw Miss Warmestre; and at first sight fell in love with her.  His passion increased to such a degree that, having no rest either by day or night, he was obliged to have recourse to extraordinary remedies; he therefore early one morning called upon his cousin Killegrew, told him his case, and desired him to demand Miss Warmestre in marriage for him.