"
~291~~Thus ended the colloquy in the usual family manner, when well-bred
men entertain something more than mere respect for their elegant and
accomplished partners.
[Illustration: page291]
SKETCHES AT BRIGHTON.
_The Pavilion Party--Interior described--Royal and Noble
Anecdotes--King and Mathews_.
~292~~I had preceded D'Almaine and the Countess only a few hours in my
arrival at Brighton; you know the vivacity and enchanting humour which
ever animates that little divinity, and will not therefore be surprised
to hear, on her name being announced at the Pavilion, we were honoured
with a royal invitation to an evening party. I had long sighed for an
opportunity to view the interior of that eccentric building; but to
have enjoyed such a treat, made doubly attractive by the presence of
the King, reposing from the toils of state in his favourite retreat, and
surrounded by the select circle of his private friends, was more than my
most sanguine expectations could have led me to conjecture. Suspending,
therefore, my curiosity until the morrow, relative to the Steyne, the
beach, the libraries, and the characters, I made a desperate effort in
embellishing, to look unusually stylish, and as usual, never succeeded
so ill in my life. Our residence on the Grand Parade is scarcely a
hundred yards from, and overlooks the Pavilion--a circumstance which
had quite escaped my recollection; for with all the natural anxiety of a
young and ardent mind, I had fully equipped myself before the Count had
even thought of entering his dressing-room.
Pages:
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390