Page:Catherine of Bragança, infanta of Portugal, & queen-consort of England.djvu/145



T was on May 27, 1662 that the state retinue set out for Hampton Court, where every preparation had been made to receive the bride. Everywhere there was the wildest interest and enthusiasm. Evelyn came up to town from the country, in order to journey to Hampton Court, where every one was flocking to welcome the new Queen, and pay their respects to her. A good many of her train set out before her, in order, no doubt, to get things ready for her arrival. Pepys saw some of them in town at the Triumph Tavern, where he was shown them by Captain Ferrers. He was not struck with them. "They are not handsome, and their farthingales a strange dress. Many ladies and persons of quality came to see them. I find nothing in them that is pleasing, and I see they have learnt to kiss and look freely up and down already, and I do believe will soon forget the recluse practice of their own country."

At least the ease with which they had begun to adopt the hitherto unknown custom of kissing at meeting, and had found courage to raise their eyes, showed that there was more adaptability about Catherine's ladies than they have been credited with. Lord Chesterfield had a bad time with them on this journey, and declared there was no pleasing them.