THE TRUE MAID OF HONOUR. that induced her to prefer the strict path she desired to walk in. Nor was it mere lip- service that she gave ; her charity was extensive. She diligently sought out and visited the poor in " hospitals, humble cells, and cottages," and in the bloom of her youth devoted herself to tasks which required some nerve and resolution, as she was in the habit of penetrating to the most obscure and neglected parts of the metropolis, in search of worthy objects of benevolence ; and in order to assist her pensioners more freely, she restricted her own expenses. Few things pained her more than money ill-spent ; she could not always decline to play at cards, but the money which she won was laid aside for charity, and that which she lost bitterly regretted, as is tes- tified by the following entry in a journal which she regularly kept : -" I will not play this half-year but at three -penny ombre, and then with one at halves. I will not ; I do not vow, but I will not do it. What ! lose money at cards, yet not give to the poor ! 'Tis robbing God, mis-spending time, and mis-employing my talents-three great sins. Three pounds would have kept three persons from starving a month : well, I will not play." Most unwillingly did she participate in the reigning fashion of private theatricals ; and about the beginning of 1668, when a piece was to be per- formed by the maids of honour-probably Dryden's " Indian Emperour,"-she entered these reflections in her Diary :-" ` Now, as to pleasure, they are 17
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=