THE TRUE MAID OF HONOUR. pleasure, Margaret was anxious to quit the vicinity of the Court, although she performed the duties of her situation there with a charming propriety, and was such a favourite. But in vain she solicited per- mission to retire ; the Queen was loth to part with " such a jewel." Prudence still dictated that she and Mr. Godolphin should not marry, and even loving each other as they did, they were obliged to await the course of events. At length, she fancied her royal mistress began to relent, and calling one day on her faithful friend Evelyn, at his lodgings in town, she acquainted him with her intention of going, if she could free herself, to live with her re- lative, Lady Berkeley. A day or two after, Evelyn being present with her, on a Sunday evening, in the Queen's drawing-room, she seized the oppor- tunity when there were but few persons there, to pressingly beg leave of their Majesties to retire. Almost to her surprise, the Queen granted her leave of absence ; to the great regret of all. Evelyn quaintly gives us some expressions of grief. " ` Is Mrs. Blagge going ?' said one fair creature. ` Why stay I here any longer ?' while others declared that ` the Court had never such a star in all its hemi- sphere.' " As for Margaret herself, on finding she had gained her liberty, transports of joy illumined her countenance. Evelyn attended her down to her apartment, where she fell on her knees, and thanked her Great Guide as for a signal deliverance from exile and bondage. 27
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