130 'OLD q' 



Paris, "will not be confounded with those of the 

 Duchess of Queensberry, who doubtless did not 

 require 'un lit d la polonaise,'^ etc. Indeed, the 

 way this is conveyed scarcely implies that the 

 entente cordiale between them existed. His letter 

 shows that his lordship's trepidations concerning 

 the Rena were unfounded, as they appear to have 

 been reconciled ; for she adds a postscript to his 

 lordship's letter, asking une petite commission of 

 her ' caro Georgino.' 



The Duchess, however, seems to have often heard 

 Court secrets which his lordship, though in close 

 attendance on the King, could not find out, as she 

 informs March — possibly in reference to another 

 appointment which he sought — that she ' thinks it 

 decided against him,' information he faithfully im- 

 parts to Selwyn.2 The Duchess prefaces her obser- 

 vation with, she ' does not like delays,' a fact scarcely 

 so patent as her dislike to 'betterment'; a further 

 instance of which may now be given, though one 

 which shows her to have been charitable as well as 

 eccentric. It was this virtue that often dulled the 

 edge of her sarcasm by salving with 'golden' oint- 

 ment the wound her reproach had made. 



Mrs. Bellamy, a celebrated actress of those days, 



^ Appendix El. ^ Appendix P 1. 



