The Merry Past 



dressed in a plain blue riding-habit, made in London, 

 and an English riding-hat with black feathers ; she 

 wore an open collar, like our young boys, and dis- 

 played a neck as white as the most polished ivory ; 

 she rode a PAnglaise, and was mounted on an English 

 horse. 



When the quarry had been taken and killed, the 

 woodlands rang with loud fanfares, played upon 

 French horns, whilst the Queen rose in her triumphal 

 car and graciously bowed her recognition to the 

 admiring noblesse. 



The hunt being over, the royal party would 

 adjourn to a pavilion de c basse, where refreshments 

 were prepared and the Queen conversed with a few 

 privileged persons. 



Although Marie Antoinette had, when serious or 

 displeased, a most disdainful haughty air, she very 

 often unbent into the most playful familiarity. This 

 betrayed her into what her enemies called levity or 

 giddiness, but it was nothing but a natural vivacity, 

 which Imperial pomp and etiquette kept down. 



At a royal hunt the Duke of Dorset, then English 

 Ambassador, was near Her Majesty, who, laying her 

 hand upon his arm, said, in a playful tone : " How 

 d'ye do ? Go dem ! " which excited universal mirth. 



On another occasion, having condescended to 

 dance with a young Englishman of the name of 

 Conway, and being a good deal heated and agitated 

 by the exertion, she made him observe the palpita- 

 tion of her heart, in an attitude which half seemed 

 like an inclination to place his hand upon it. The 



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