Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/82

 Can't you command some of your slaves—for you must recollect, Griselda, Hester has slaves without number, who implicitly obey her orders' (this was addressed to Griselda and Mr. Tickell, who were present)—'can't you command some of your slaves to introduce the fashion of wearing muffs and tippets into the House of Commons! I could then put my feet on the muff and throw the tippet over my knees and round my legs.'

"When we were at Walmer, it is incredible what a deal I got through in the day. Mr. Pitt was pleased to have somebody who would take trouble off his hands. Every week he had to review the volunteers, and would ride home in such showers of rain—I have been so drenched, that, as I stood, my boots made two spouting fountains above my knees. Then there was dinner; and, if I happened to be alone, when I went to the drawing-room, I had to give the secret word for spies, to see the sergeant of the guard, and then the gentlemen would come in from the dining-room. But, if they were late, oh, how sleepy I got, and would have given the world to go to bed!

"One day, Lord Chatham had to review the artillery, and he kept them under arms from daylight until three o'clock. Bradford went to him several times to know if he was ready. 'I shall come in