Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/38

 "When first I went to live with Mr. Pitt, one day he and I were taking a walk in the park, when we were met by Lord Guildford, having Lady and Lady, two old demireps, under his arm. Mr. Pitt and I passed them, and Mr. Pitt pulled off his hat: Lord G. turned his head away, without acknowledging his bow. The fact was, he thought Mr. Pitt was escorting some mistress he had got. 'Well,' said I, 'there goes Falstaff with the merry wives of Windsor.' 'Yes,' rejoined Mr. Pitt, 'and I think, what ever he may take you to be, he need not be so prim, with those two painted and patched ladies under his arm.'

"The same thing happened with Lord A.; and, when Mr. Pitt soon after came into office, Lord A. called on Mr. Pitt, who, being busy, sent him to me. Lord A. began with a vast variety of compliments about ancient attachments, and his recollection, when a boy, of having played with me: so I cut him short by telling him his memory then must have sadly failed him the other day, when he passed me and Mr. Pitt in his curricle with Lady. After many, 'Really, I supposed,' and 'Upon my honours,—'Sense of propriety on account of Lady, and not knowing who I was'—I laughed heartily at him, and he went away. When he was gone, Mr. Pitt came to me, and said, 'I don’t often ask questions about your visitors,