OR, ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN OF THE COURT OF CHARLES II. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: HENRY COLBURN AND RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. 1832. MEMOIRS OF SIR RALPH ESHER. CHAPTER I. THE return to court, after the sea, was like emerging from noise, wet, and darkness, into a saloon full of light and beauty. And the best of it was, quoth Sir George, that we returned in good condition. The Duke had waited some time at the Nore, intending to go to sea again, which his Majesty prevented: so that our valets had time to come to us with new suits of red and gold. Thus with health and ruddiness in our faces, clean linen to our backs, and "locks as crull as they were laid in press," (as the old poet has it), we entered VOL. 11. B amidst the flowers and fair ones of the palace, conquering and to conquer. Another poet has described us, “ All plumed, like estridges that wing the wind;" (Our very hats!) "Bated like eagles, having lately bathed ;" (We had done so ;) Glittering in golden coats, like images;" (The red and gold, to wit ;) "As full of spirit as the month of May, Then there's something about goats and bulls. "I saw Dick Tufton with his beaver on, His sword-knot at his thigh, gallantly dressed, And hand her with such ease into her seat (Miss Brooks I mean) as though he had borne arms, But to subdue a fiery Maid of Honour, And witch the court with wondrous seamanship." 66 "Bravo!" said Buckingham; "I permit you to have said it, Ralph; though being so good, it should have been mine." His Grace also permitted us wounds; though he would have glad of a few on the same terms. our to have been heartily As for mine, it made for it by had a delicate white silken sling Miss Warmestre, and I was cautious how I hurried the cure. Every day the most interesting inquiries were made about it. More than one patriotic damsel offered to make the sling; but Miss Warmestre shrunk, and drew the breath within her teeth in so pretty a manner, at the bare idea of touching it, that I could not but give the preference to my sensitive acquaintance. "You do not know then," said Lady Castlemain, "what broke poor Miss Warmestre's spirits, just after you left us?" "No, madam," answered I, expecting to hear something additional to my credit, though rather surprised it should come from that quarter; for her Ladyship, albeit friendlier than ever for a day or two, and always lively, had lately taken it into her head to flatter nobody but Mr Hart. Besides, I had begun to suspect, that she did not much relish attentions on the part of the ladies to any young fellow whom she had vouch |