the royal Favourite; he saw at once that Mrs. Howard was but the shadow flung, by the queen's own good pleasure, before her. There can be no doubt but that Queen Caroline secretly enjoyed the knowledge of her influence. To a strong-minded woman, shut out from the natural sphere of the affections, what remains but the enjoyment of consciousness of power?
Amid the brilliant crowd, that gathered on the lawns, or loitered through the saloons, no one looked more lovely than Lady Marchmont; and it was obvious, that she enjoyed the homage by which she was surrounded. Tired of seeing one cavalier desert her after another, Lady Mary Wortley Montague joined the gay circle, of which her brilliant rival was the centre. By so doing, it also appeared her own—at least she was where all assembled; none could say that she was deserted.
"What a change!" exclaimed she, glancing round the room,—"since Mrs. Howard was obliged to cut off her beautiful hair, and sell it, in order to pay for her own and her husband's dinner."
