"Come in!" His lordship made his appearance; and there was a look as nearly approaching to anxiety as his immovable face could well convey. He inquired after her ladyship's health with an unusual air of empressement.
"But I need not ask," added he, "for I never saw you looking so lovely. Ah! I see that you are yourself the subject of your studies; you must permit me to read your praises to you."
He took up the book, and began to read the commonplace compliments it contained with a solemn and emphatic air, which, if possible, added to their absurdity. Lady Marchmont looked what she was—thoroughly bored; fortunately, her husband soon held that he had played the agreeable quite long enough; and, nothing doubting his success, thought it was the very time to introduce what was the real object of his visit.
"I hear," said he, "that the preparations for the fête Sir Robert Walpole is about to give at Chelsea, are on a scale of unusual magnificence!"
