. . .I recovered breath, I resolved not to make bad worse by staying longer away: but at the door of the room, I met Mrs. Thrale, who, asking me if I would have some water, took me into a back room, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter.

"This is very good sport," cried she; "the man is as innocent about the matter as a child, and we shall hear what he says about it to-morrow morning at breakfast. I made a sign to Dr. Jonnson and Seward not to tell him."

she found I was not in a humour to think it such good sport as she did, she grew more serious,. and taking my hand kindly said, "May you never, Miss Burney, know any other pain than that of hearing yourself praised! and I am sure that you must often feel."

When I told her how much I dreaded being discovered, and beggt her not to betray me any further, she again began laughing, and openly declared she should not consult me about the matter. But she told . . . Read More