MRS. BELLAMY 131 



went a few days previous to the date fixed for her 

 benefit to request her grace's patronage. Though 

 at home, the Duchess refused to see her, ' because 

 she was dressed in a silk gown, and came in a 

 chair.' But, notwithstanding her displeasure at Mrs. 

 Bellamy's grandeur, the Duchess engaged almost all 

 the boxes for the night of her benefit. Whether the 

 actress's performance on that evening mollified her 

 grace is not known, but she asked Mrs. Bellamy to 

 call upon her the following morning, who no doubt 

 went apparelled more in accordance with her patron- 

 ess's views. Her grace then presented the actress 

 with 270 guineas, a bill ^ for a considerable sum, and 

 afterwards sent her home in her own coach — ' Kitty's 

 coach,' as the handsome vehicle was called. 



^ A cash bill. 



