THE TRUE MAID OF HONOUR. tiful maid of honour by making what was vulgarly called " a lantern of his jaws," by holding a lighted taper in his mouth for a stated time. Count Hamil- ton, brother of Henrietta Blagge's cruel friend, determined not to be out done in gallantry and accomplishment ; and he put his adversary to shame by holding two lighted tapers in his mouth ; Kil- legrew, the noted fop, complimenting him in hu- mourous terms, while Miss Stewart was thrown into ecstasies. The ladies were divided into two classes ; one all softness and languor : the other sparkling and witty. The one lounged, simpered, lisped, half shut their eyes à la Chinoise, and moved as if " they were not born to carry their own weight ; " while the other were talkative, fantastical, airy, and dealt in bons-mots and repartees at any and every- body's expense. Their morals agreed but too well with their manners ; even the most ethereal were accustomed to drink, to gamble, and even, horrible as it appears, to swear " good mouth - filling oaths." Such were the friends with whom Margaret Blagge was now, in 1665, to become. acquainted. Her sister Henrietta, the year before, had married Sir Thomas Yarborough, a baronet as fair and as foolish as herself ; and her sister Mary, who had also been maid of honour to the Duchess, had married a gentleman named Colclough. The lively, affectionate girl quickly became attached to her mistress, the somewhat haughty, yet kind Duchess. Although warmly admired, on her 13
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