MARGARET GODOLPHIN, discover for her the residence she was looking for. Lady Berkeley, however, protested loudly against this proposition, and her young relative accordingly remained with her. At this juncture, 1674, Margaret was suddenly drawn back for a short time into the vortex of dissi- pation from which she had, as she congratulated herself, escaped. The two young Princesses, Mary and Anne, daughters of the Duke of York, (and afterwards Queens Regnant of England) were about to be introduced at Court ; and a gorgeous masque, entitled " Calista," in which they were to perform, had been written for them, at the express desire of Queen Catherine, by the poet John Crowne. All the leading beauties were to appear in the piece, in which ladies only were to play; and the preparations were on the most magnificent scale. The royal sisters were placed under the instruction of the celebrated Mrs. Betterton, principal actress at the King's Theatre, in order to perfect them for their parts. Margaret Blagge was eminent at Court for her graceful, spirited performances ; her action was so appropriate, and her voice was so melodious, that nothing could be more charming than to hear her recite or read a dramatic poem. She had for some time discontinued frequenting the theatre, and never witnessed theatrical performances, unless it was impossible to avoid it ; and it was therefore with a feeling of inexpressible repugnance that she re- ceived the positive commands of the King and the 32
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