Page:Notable Irishwomen.djvu/56

 not rich enough to bear the loss with unconcern. The Duke, however, merely observed, "I wonder how I did that?" He then went to the opposite side of the room, and apparently forgetting what he had just done, leaned his head back and down came the other lustre. He looked at it very calmly and said philosophically and with perfect coolness, "This is singular enough," and walked away without distress or apology.

Fanny Burney next describes a reception she and her friends, the Thrales, went to at Miss Monckton's house in Charles Street. It is too long to give here, but it relates in a very amusing way how Miss Monckton never stood up to receive her guests, she only turned round her head to nod it, and say "How do you do?" Dr. Johnson was standing near the fire surrounded by listeners. Some new people coming in, Miss Monckton started up exclaiming, "My whole care is to prevent a circle."

Fanny Burney remarks that "the company were dressed with more brilliance than at any rout I was ever at, as most of them were going on to the Duchess of Cumberland's. &hellip; At the sound of Burke's voice. Miss Monckton darted forward, crying out, 'Oh, that's Mr. Burke.'"

Sir Joshua Reynolds was one of the party on this occasion. He had painted Miss Monckton in a pastoral attitude, sitting in a garden, with a dog at her feet. When Fanny Burney took her leave,