Heyielded，——simplysofarasthelawwouldhavecompelledhim，andaswasnecessarytosavehimselffromthethreatenedandcertainexposurewhichmyappealunderthenewlawwouldhaveentailed。Isawmychildreninthemostformalandcomfortlessmanner。Therewasnomercyorgenerosity。Iexpectednone。HeevenmadeitapersonalquarrelwithPage53

hiscolleagueandfellowmagistrate，MrHardwicke，afterthis，thatMrH。hadpermittedmeoneeveningtobeinhisboxattheplay，withmychildren。Helockedthechildrenthemselvesupforawholeday；topunishthem；and"impressupontheirmemories"（afterthefashionofhissister），thattheywerenottobeseenwithmeatanypublicplace。Theirinterviewswithme，weretobeinprivate；thatnoonemightknoworguesshehadbeencompelledtoyield。Theinsaneinjusticeofpunishingthechildren，orquarrellingwiththefriendwhohadcateredfortheiramusement，whennooneintendedtooffendhim，neverseemstohaveoccurredtohim。Hefearedonlythetruthbeingknown；ourappearanceinpublic，wasacontradictionofhisassertionsinprivate。

Hiscruelcarelessnesswasafterwardsproved，onamostmiserableoccasion。Myyoungestchild，thenaboyofeightyearsold，leftwithoutcareoroverlooking，rodeoutwithabrotherbutlittleolderthanhimself，wasthrown，carriedtothehouseofacountryneighbor，anddiedthereoflockjaw，consequentontheaccident。

MrNortonallowedthechildtolieillforaweek，——indeedtobeatdeath’sdoor，——beforehesenttoinformme。SirFitzroyandLadyKellywerestayingwithMrNortoninthecountry。LadyKelly（whowasanutterstrangertome）metmeattherailwaystation。Isaid——"Iamhere，——ismyboybetter？"

"No，"shesaid——"heisnotbetter，——heisdead。"AndIfound，insteadofmychild，acorpsealreadycoffined。

MrNortonaskedmyforgivenessthen，ashehadaskeditoftenbefore；hesenthiselderchildtopleadforhim，——forwellheknewwhatmychildrenweretome；hehumbledhimself，andgrievedforanhour，tillhechangedintopitythehorrorandrepugnanceIhadexpressedattheideaofseeinghim；——andthenheburiedourchild，andforgotbothhissorrowandhispenitence。

Page54

Duringtheyearsoverwhichmyseparationfromthesechildrenextended，severalattemptsweremadebyMrNortoneithertocompelmetohisownterms，ortobringaboutareconciliation。IntheSpringimmediatelyfollowingtheTrial（aftermyfirsteffortstoobtainmychildrenhadbeenrejected）Isuddenlyreceivedfromhimamostextraordinarynote，saying，thatheconsideredourdifferences"capableofadjustment，"andhopedIwouldmeethimalone，inanemptyhouse，No。1Berkeleystreet，wherehewouldwaitforme。Ireceivedthiscommunicationwithdoubtanddistrust；increasedratherthandiminishedbytheimpatienceshownbyMrNortontoobtainananswer，forwhichhesenttwiceinthecourseoftheafternoon。Hethenwrotetosay，that"nothingcouldbeeffectedwithoutmutualconfidence，"andashecouldnotcometomyuncle’shouse（whereIlived）hehopedIwouldcometohisownresidence。

ThisIconsentedtodo。Wehadalongwretchedinterview。Hebesoughtmeoncemore，to"forgetthepast"andreturnhome。Helaidtheblameofallthathadhappened，onhisfriendsandadvisers；saidthetrialwasagainsthiswillandjudgment，andthathelongedto"takemetohisheartagain。"

HecomplainedofthecoldnesswithwhichIreceivedtheseproposals；butIdidnotrefuse。HerecalledmypoorchildrenfromScotland；andsentnotesalmostdailytomyhouse。Thoselettersbegan，"MyCarry，""MydearCarry，"andweresigned，"Yoursaffectionately。"Twoofthem（inallusiontomyfearofmeetinghim）boretheplayfulsignatureof"GREENACRE，"——thenameofamanwhohadbeenrecentlyhung，forenticingawomantohishousebypromisingmarriage，andthenmurderingandcuttingherintopieces。

Afteramonthofthisstrangecorrespondence，Ireceivedanotefromhim，tosaythemasculinesisterhadarrivedtostaywithhim。Adisputefollowed，astowhatIhadorhadnotsaidtothislady。MrNortoncomplainedthatIhadstatedtoherI

didnotintend"honestly"toreturntohim；but"tore—Page55

turnforthesakeofmychildrenandmyreputation；"andthatIhadsaid"Ineverwouldlivewithhimagain。"Ourreconciliationwasbrokenoff；mychildrenweresentbacktoScotland；andthenextnoticetakenofmyexistence，bythehusbandwhohadwooedmyreturn；whohadbeggedmetomeethiminanemptyhouse，assuringmenothingcouldbeaffected"withoutmutualconfidence；"——whohadsignedhimselfGREENACRE，infamiliarandcaressingletters，jestinguponmyfearsanddoubtsastotrustingmyselfaloneatthatmeeting；——andwhohad，inthefirstinstance，desiredhisservantthedayaftermydeparture，toopenthedoorofmyhome"withthechainacross；"——thenextstep，Isay，takenbythehusbandwhoserealstorywassolittleknowntothepublic，wastoimposeonthatpublicbyanadvertisementrespectinghislegalliabilityforme，commencing，——

"Whereason30thMarch，1836，mywife，CarolineElizabethSarah，leftme，herfamily，andhome，andhathfromthenceforthcontinuedtoseparateandapartfromme，"&amp；c。

Angry，andfullofscorn，IconsultedmysolicitorwhetherIwascompelledtobearthisfreshoutrage。

IshowedhimthelettersMrN。hadwrittenjustbeforethispretenceofbeingaforsakenhusband：——"haveInoremedy？"——"NoremedyinLAW。

TheLAWcandonothingforyou：yourcaseisoneofsingular，ofincrediblehardship；butthereisnopossiblewayinwhichtheLAWcouldassistyou。"Mybrotherdidallthatcouldbedone——hedesiredhissolicitorstopublishaletterstatingthat"thewholeofthestatementscontainedinMrNorton’sadvertisementwerefalse"——animputationwhichremainsonittothisday。Aftertheinsultoftheadvertisement，therewasapauseofsomeweeks；andthenMrNortonwrotetosayhewishedanarbitrationinouraffairs；thearbitratorhenamed，wasSirJohnBayley；

andasthehistoryofthereferenceisgivenlater，Idonothereenterintoit；furtherthantosaythatMrNorton，aftersolemnlypledginghimselfinwriting，toPage56

abidebywhateverdecisionmightbecometo，utterlyrefusedtobebound；quarrelledwithhisarbitrator；andbrokeoffthenegotiation。

Ayearandahalfafterwards，herequestedSirFrederickThesigertoactasreferee；whoseopinionIgiveinhisownwords：——"TheaccommodationproposedbyNortonisoneinwhichyouaretogivewayuponeverysubject，andheisnottorecedeuponone；anditseemstometoberidiculoustotalkofconciliationuponsuchafooting。"……"ItisimpossiblenottobestruckwiththevacillatingandvexatiouscoursewhichNortonhaspursued；excitinghopesonlytodisappointthem，andmakingpromisesapparentlyfortheopportunityofbreakingthem。"Friendsmediated；menofbusinesswastedtheirtimeinvain；MrNorton’spromiseswereropesofsand。

In1842——twoyearsafterMrNortonhadevadedthechanceofexposurebydecliningtodefendmypetitionundertheInfantCustodyBill——heoncemoreaskedmetobe"reconciled"

tohim，andtoreturntolivewithhim。Thoughthiswasnotarranged，yetfromthattimetherewasadegreeofpeaceandfriendlinessestablished，which，forthesakeofmysons（ofwhomIhadalreadylostone），Iwasmorethanwilling——Iwasanxious——tomaintain。MrNorton’slettersagainbecamecaressingandflattering；hevisitedmeatthehouseofmyuncleMrC。Sheridan，andafterMrSheridan’sdeath，atmyown。WhenIwrotetohimfromabroad，in1848，hesentoneofmyletterstriumphantlytomymother，toprovetoherwhatgoodtermswewereon。HefollowedmetoGermany，andsaidhedidnotthinkIoughtto"travelalone。"Downtothetimeofmymother’sdeath，andthedisputerespectingherannuity，——whateverundercurrentofbitternessanddistrusttheremightbeonmypart，orofcapriceonhis——weremainedonfamiliarandfriendlyterms；andherelapsedintotheoldhabitofentreatingmyinterferenceforhisinterests，withsuchofmyfamilyorfriendsashadpoliticalPage57

influence；ashehaddonewhenwelivedtogetherinonehome。

Thehistoryofthecontract——inthedisputeaboutwhich，aftermymother’sdeath，thisstateofthingswasbrokenup——Ihavegivenseparately；butbeforeIconcludethesepageswhichtreatofthepastinsteadofthepresent，Ithinkitisfittoshow，bytheevidenceofLordMelbourne’sownletters，theopinionheentertainedoftheseaffairs，inwhichhisnamehasbeenoncemoreintroducedbyMrNortonasanopportunityforfalsehood。

ThefirstletterIshallquoteofLordMelbourne’s，isonewrittenonlythreemonthsafterhehadgivenMrNortonhismagistracy；whenalreadyhewasdisturbedattheconductofhisnominee。MrNortoninauguratedhisappointmentbyquarrellingwithhiscolleague。Iendeavouredtojustifymyhusband；andblamedMrW。LordMelbournerepliedthus；inaletterdatedJuly19，1831；andI

printitbecauseitisacuriouspropheticcommentonMrNorton’slatelettersinthe’Times’。

"HomeOffice，July19th，1831。

"T。W。，asyousay，doeswhathehasnottheleastrighttodo；andtheworstis，heisnotonlyfoolishhimself，butisthecauseoffollyinothers。IhadthegreatestdifficultyinpreventingNortonfromreplyingtohiminthe’Times。’Iwasmuchalarmedatthenotionofhisdoingthis，especiallyasIfoundhimthoroughlyimpressedwiththeopinionthathecoulddoitwithgreatclevernessanddexterity。

NowIknowverywellthatamanofthatdescriptionwhoisfullypersuadedthatheisabouttodoathingextremelywell，isontheverypointofcommittingsomeirretrievableerror，orfallingintosomemostridiculousabsurdity……Ihatethemagistrateswritingtothenewspapers……besides，peoplewillbesuretosaytome，——ifthemagistratesgetPage58

squabblinginpublic，whydoyounotclearthebenchofthesefellowsaltogether？aquestiontowhichIshouldnotwellknowwhattoreply。Theytellmealso，thatNortondoesnotgotohisofficeearlyenough。

Ishouldbeannoyedathavingacomplaintmadeuponthissubject。Praydissuadehim，gently，fromanypublicexhibitionsinthenewspapers；andurgehimgentlytoalittlemoreactivityinthemorning。Hemightsurelywithoutdifficultygettherebytwelveo’clock。Thisisadisagreeablelecturingletter，butstilluponmatterstowhichitisnecessarytopaysomeattention。"

Goodnaturedandfamiliaraswasthisexpressionofdissatisfaction，IfeltthatLordMelbournewasbeginningtoperceivethecharacterofthehusbandforwhomIhadsuccessfullypetitioned；andIwarned——andwarnedinvain。Tothelast，however，MrNortonreliedonLordMelbourne’skindness；andthenextnoteIshallgive，isacuriousandexplicitanswertotheassertionsofmyhusband，astohisjealousyandunhappiness；foritisdatedonlyeightweeksbeforeourfinalseparation，anddiscussestheappointmentMrNortonhadagreedtoendeavourtoobtain；（hispertinacityaboutwhichappearstohavepuzzledtheHomeOffice。）

"Downingstreet，January27th，1836。

"NortonplaguesmetodeathaboutthesuccessortoWalker。HeseemstothinkthatheandH。havealmostarighttomaketheappointment。Hehasjustbroughtmealetter，stronglyrecommendingaMr————，andseemedtobestruckaswithanewidea，whenItoldhimthathehadbetterletmementionthenametoLordJohnasfrommyself；inasmuchasheandH。interfering，wouldratherbeagainstthecandidatethanforhim。Heseemstothinkthateverythingistogivewaytotheconsiderationofgivinghimapleasantcompanion。HesaystheBenchusedwithWalkertobelikeapleasantclub，andthathemusthaveanagreeablefellowtowalktoandfrowith。Nowdonottrytostophim，norgivehimanynotionofwhatIhavePage59

said。IwrotetoyouyesterdayaboutF。Iamtoldbythosewhoknowhimthathecertainlywouldnotacceptit。Adieu，Yours，Melbourne。"

Twomonthsafterwards，MrNortonandIwereparted：LordMelbournepassedtheEasteratBrocketandPanshanger；andasIneverdreamedthathewouldhimselfbemadethepretenceofourquarrel，Iwrotetotellhimwhathadhappened。Iquotefourofhisletterswrittenatthattime。Living，hejustifiedhimselfbyhissimplewordofhonour；anddead，Ijustifyhimwithlineswrittenbyahandcoldinthegrave。HoweverdeservedlyseverehislanguagemaybewithrespecttoMrNorton，Ileavethosewhoreadtojudgewhetherthesearethelettersofatreacherousseducer——orevenofalover。

"Panshanger，April6th，1836……"Ihardlyknowwhattowritetoyou，orwhatcomforttooffer。Youknow，aswellasIdo，thatthebestcourseistokeepyourselftranquil，andnottogivewaytofeelingsandpassionswhichHeavenknowsaretoonaturaltobeeasilyresisted。

Thisconductuponhispartseemsperfectlyunaccountable；anddependuponit，being，asyouare，intheright，itwillbemadeultimatelytoappear；

whatevertemporarymisrepresentationsmayprevail。Youcannothavebetterormoreaffectionateadvisorsthanyouhavewithyouuponthespot，whoarewellacquaintedwiththecircumstancesofthecase，andwiththecharactersofthosewithwhomtheyhavetodeal。YouknowthatIhavealwayscounselledyoutobeareverything，andremaintothelast。Ithoughtitforthebest。

Iamafraiditisnolongerpossible。Openbreachesofthiskindarealwaystobelamented，butyouhavetheconsolationthatyouhavedoneyourutmosttostavethisextremityoffaslongaspossible。Inalldifficultiesyoumayalwaysdependuponme，andbelieveme，Yours，Melbourne。"

"Panshanger，April8th，1836……"Itisinvaintorail，otherwiseIcoulddosotoo；butitwasatalltimeseasytoseethatitwasthemostPage60

dangerousandill—conditionedcreaturepossible，andthattherewasnothingthatmightnotbeexpectedfromsuchamixtureoffollyandmalignity。IamverygladC。isgonedown。Youhavenowrealfriendsaboutyou。YoudescribemeverytrulywhenyousaythatIamalwaysmoreannoyedthatthereisarowthansorryforthepersonsengagedinit。But，afterall，youknowyoucancountuponme。IwonderthatyoushouldthinkitpossiblethatIshouldcommunicateyourletterstoanyoneelse，Ihaveheardnomentionofthesubject。LordHollanddid，inoneofhisletters，andIansweredhimexactlytotheeffectyoutoldme，andasImusthavedonewithoutbeingtold，namely，thatIhadseenyouwithNortonthedaybeforeyoulefttown，andthatIknewthathewasperfectlywellacquaintedwithyourintentionofgoingoffintothecountry，*

becausehe，inmyhearing，suggestedputtingitofffromWednesday，Ibelieve，untilSaturday。Ihavealsoseenoneparagraphrelatingtothematterinoneofthenewspapers，andthisisallthathasreachedme。IshallbeintownagainonMonday。Adieu。

"Yours，Melbourne。"

"Panshanger，April10th，1836。

"Ihavejustreceivedyourletter，withLeicesterStanhope’senclosed，withwhichIammuchpleased。

Hecouldnothaveactedbetter，norwithmorediscretion。Never，tobesure，wastheresuchconduct！Tosetonfootthatsortofenquirywithouttheslightestrealgroundforit！Butitdoesnotsurpriseme。Ihavealwaysknownthattherewasthereamixtureoffollyandviolencewhichmightleadtoanyabsurdityoranyinjustice。Youknowsowellmyopinionthatitisunnecessaryformetorepeatit。Ihavealwaystoldyouthatawomanshouldneverpartfromherhusbandwhilstshecanremainwithhim。Ifthisisgenerallythecase，itisparticularlysoinsuchacaseasyours；thatis，inthecaseofayounghandsomewoman，ofTherewasareportthatIhadeloped，sedulouslycirculatedbyMrNorton’sfriends。Page61

livelyimagination，fondofcompanyandconversation，andwhosecelebrityandsuperiorityhasnecessarilycreatedmanyenemies。Dependuponit，ifareconciliationisfeasible，therecanbenodoubtoftheprudenceofit。Itissoevidentthatitisunnecessarytoexpatiateuponit。LordHolland，whoisalmosttheonlypersonwhohasmentionedthesubjecttome，isentirelyofthatopinion。

"Yours，Melbourne。"

"Southstreet，April19th，1836……"If，forthesakeofyourchildren，youthinkyoucanenduretoreturntohim，youcertainlywillactmostwiselyandprudentlyforyourselfindoingso。Iadviseyou，however，totakenostepofyourselfwithouttheadviceofSeymourandGraham；andifyoudetermineuponwritingtoMrBarlow，sendyourletteropentothem，givingthemadiscretionarypowereithertosendortowithholdit。

"Keepupyourspirits；agitateyourselfaslittleaspossible；donotbetooanxiousaboutrumoursandtheopinionof’theWorld；’being，asyouare，innocentandintheright，youwill，intheend，bringeverythinground。

"Yours，Melbourne。"

ThesefourletterswereallwrittenbeforeitoccurredtoMrNortonorhadbeensuggestedtohim，tospeculateontheadvantageofmakingLordMelbournehimselfappearthecauseofourquarrel，bybringinganactionagainsthim。Thechanceswereallfavourable；foreitherlargedamageswouldbegivenifsuccessful，or，ifthescandalwasonethePrimeMinisterdarednotface，probablyalargesummightbegivenasacompromisetopreventthesuitbeingbroughtatall。TheastoundingintelligencehavingbeencommunicatedtoLordMelbourne；

Ireceivedfromhimthefollowingnote。

"Southstreet，April19th，1836。

"IsendyoualetterwhichIwroteyesterdaywiththeintentionofsendingit。Ihopeyouwillnottakeitill，ifIimploreyoutotry，atleast，tobecalmunderthesetrials。Youknowthatwhatisalleged（ifitbealleged）isutterlyfalse，ANDWHATPage62

ISFALSECANRARELYBEMADETOAPPEARTRUE。Thestepswhichitwillbeprudenttotake，itwillbeimpossibletodetermineuntilweknowmorecertainlythecoursethatisintendedtobepursued。IfanyservantofmineoranyonethathasleftwithinthelastsixyearshadbeeninterrogatedIthinkIshouldhaveheardofit。But，whoevermaybeinterrogatednoonecandeposeanythingwhichcanaffectyouorme。

"Yours，Melbourne。"

"SouthstreetJune9th1836。

"Ihavereceivedyourletter，andhavegivensuchinstructionsasItrustwillbeforthebest。Idonotwonderattheimpressionmadeuponyou。*

Iknewitwouldbeso，andthereforeIwasalmostunwillingtohavetheinterviewtakeplace。AlltheattorneysthatIhaveeverseen，haveallthesamemanner；hard，cold，incredulous，distrustful，sarcastic，andsneering。

Theyareaccustomedtobeconversantwiththeworstpartofhumannature，andwiththemostdiscreditabletransactions。Theyhavesomanyfalsehoodstoldthem，thattheyplaceconfidenceinnone。

"Ihavesentyournote；havingreadit。Idaresayyouthinkmeunfeeling；butIdeclarethatsinceI

firstheardIwastobeproceededagainst，IhavesufferedmoreintenselythanIeverdidinmylife。Ihadneithersleepnorappetite，andIattributethewholeofmyillness（atleasttheseverityofit）totheuneasinessofmymind。Nowwhatisthisuneasinessfor？notformyowncharacter，because，asyoujustlysay，theimputationuponmeisasnothing。Itisnotforthepoliticalconsequencestomyself，althoughIdeeplyfeeltheconsequenceswhichmyindiscretionmaybringuponthosewhoareattachedtomeandfollowIhadwrittentocomplainofthematterofMrVizard，LordMelbourne’ssolicitor，whocametoquestionme，anddidnotappeartobelieveme，whenIassertedmyinnocence。IsaidtheaccusationwasnothingagainstLordM。（accordingtotheviewstakeninsocietyoftheconductofmen；）butthatitwaslifeanddeathtome，asawoman；andthatIwouldnotseeMrVizardatall，ifheinsultedmebyexpressionsofincredulity。Page63

myfortunes。Therealandprincipalobjectofmyanxietyandsolicitudeisyou，andthesituationinwhichyouhavebeensounjustlyplaced，bythecircumstanceswhichhavetakenplace。"

LordMelbournewasright，sofarthatwhatwas"false"wasnotmadeto"appeartrue："andthatthedrunkenandworthlesswitnesseswerediscreditedbytheJury。

Theveryfact，however，oftheutterdisbeliefwithwhichtheevidencewasreceived，savedMrNortonfromanyfurtherexposurethanthatofhavingbroughtforwardastoryitwasobviousevenhehimselfcouldnothavebelieved。

For，——asitwasnotthoughtnecessarytocallanywitnessestorebutthecoarseinventionoftheaccuser，——ourrealhistoryremainedunknownasbefore。

Thenextstepstaken，proveonlyhowheartilyashamedeveryonewas，ofbeingsupposedtohavehadanyshareinthetransaction。Thepapersofthedaywerefilledwithseverecommentsandcountercomments。LordWynforddeniedhavinghadanyhandinthebusiness。LordGrantley（who，atleasthadtheexcuseforinterferencethathewasMrNorton’sbrother）partlydeniedit。SirW。Folletthastenedtointrenchhimselfwithinthenarrowestlimitofprofessionalandcompulsoryassistance，andpublishedadenialofhavingadvisedthetrial，inthe’Times；’andLordMelbournehadalreadywrittentome，asfollows，ofthedenialoftheDukeofCumberland。

"10Southstreet……"WhatIwantedtotellyouwasthis：thatafewdaysagotheDukeofCumberlandcameuptomeinoneofthelobbiesoftheHouseofLords，andsaid——’HaveyouseenWynford？

Hewishestospeaktoyou；anditisinordertoassureyou，uponhishonour，thathehashadnothingtodowiththisaffair。NorindeedANYOFUS。

Wewoulddonothingsoungentlemanlike。ThemomentIheardhewaschargedwithit，Iwenttohim，andaskedhim，andhesolemnlydeniedit。’Irepliedthat’Ineverbelievedmererumoursandreports；thatIhadneverthoughtit，andthatHisRoyalHighness’sdeclarationwas，ofcourse，perfectlysatisfactory。’WhenIwentintothePage64

HouseofLords，LordWynfordsentoneoftheMessengerstoaskmetocomeovertohim，as，beinglame，hecouldnotcometome。Iwent，andhethenrepeatedthedisclaimeralreadymadebytheDukeofCumberland，andadded，thathe’hadneverheardoftheactionuntilfourdaysafterithadbeencommenced，andthatastothatunfortunateyoungman’——（ashetermedNorton），whohesaidhadbeenhisward，——hehadnotseenhimforthesetwoorthreeyears——Iwillnotbecertainoftheprecisetimehementioned，butitwasalongone。）I，ofcourse，declaredmyself’perfectlysatisfied。’"

Ofcourse。Agentleman，calledupontoacceptthedisclaimerofothergentlemen，oneofthemaPrinceofthebloodRoyal，coulddonoless；andofallmen，thetwoinquestionmightfeelsympathyforpersonsstrugglingagainstaccusation；

fortheDukeofCumberlandhadhimselfbeenthethemeofresistedobloquy，inthatstrangehistoryofthemurderofhisservant；andLordWynford’sjustice，asJudgeBest，hadbeenimpugnedbyLordDenmanintheHouseofLords，forbrow—beatingandunfairlyfiningaprisoner；nottomentionotherscandals，lesspubliclyarraigned。

LordMelbournethen，hadtoprofesshimself"satisfied，"asamatterofcourse；butIwasnotsatisfied。Inthefirstplace，IknewitwasnottruethatLordWynfordhadnotseenMrNortonforthreeyears；andIwasassuredthatsomeofthewitnesseshadbeenexaminedathishouse。AstothedenialoftheDukeofCumberland，——bothPrincesandKingsmaybeeagerlyserved，withoutacceptingtheresponsibilityoftheirwords；andthetrivialtaskofbreakingupaMinistry，neednotweighontheconscienceliketheriddanceofStThomas&agrave；Beckett。HisRoyalHighness’sdissatisfactionatthesuccessoftheWhigparty，andhisdislikeofitsleader，werepatentandunconcealed。

Eventhosewhowerefriendsandadherentsofthatparty，wereinvolvedintheevidenceofthatdislike。Iwellremember，whenIattendedtheCourtPage65

receptions，evenbeforetheeventoftheMock—Trial，whenitwasmerelysurmisedthatIhadinfluencewiththeWhigPremier，thattheDukeofCumberlandwastheonlyRoyalpersonagewhorefusedtoacknowledge，bytheslightestsalute，thecurtseyImadetohim，astoothersintheRoyalcircle。ImentionedittoLordMelbourne。Hesaid，"Youtaketheseslightstoyourself，buttheyarenotputuponyou。"

Itsohappened，bysomestrangehazard，thatinthelistofthejuryonthetrial，thenameofSirRobertPeelwascalled；*andSirW。Folletttooktheopportunityofalludingtothatcircumstanceinhisaddress：hesaid，——

"Hecarednotforthepoliticalsentimentsofthoseheaddressed——hewouldassoonhavetwelvepoliticalopponentsastwelvesupportersofhisnobleclient，ashewassuretheywoulddojusticetobothparties。TherewasleftontheJurytheleaderofthepoliticalpartyopposedtohisclient，buthewouldhaveassoonseenSirRobertPeelinthatboxasanyothergentleman；andneitherLordMelbournenorthosewhoadvisedhim，everthoughtofobjectingtothatgentleman。"

Certainlynot；butbetweenimpeachingaleaderwhosehonourneverwasattacked，andutterlyacquittingallmembersoftheToryparty，——thereisawidegulf；andafterthedenials，moreorlessangry，andmoreorlesspositive，madepubliclybypersonsatthetime；thenewspapersstilldebatedthesubject，andstillboldlyputthequestion，——"Whothenisthemanbehindthescreen？"TheverywordingoftheDukeofCumberland’sdenial，——theveryexpression，"norindeedANYOFUS"——assumedthatLordMelbournesuspectedsomeoftheTorypartyweretherealmoversintheextraordinary，unexpected，andunfairattackmadeuponhim。IrepeatthatIknowthelateKingthoughtso；andasforLordMelbourneLordsGrantley，Lichfield，andLucanwereseatedonthebench。SirR。PeelandMrF。Baring，M。P。，whosenameswereontheJurylist，werecalled，butdidnotanswer。——LawReport，1836。Page66

andmyself，howcoulditseemotherwisethanaplot？Heknew，andIknew，（howeverdeceivedthePublicmightbe，）thathewasnotthecauseofthedomesticrupturewhichhadtakenplace。Heknew，andI

knew，thattotheverylastdayandhourofmystayundermyhusband’sroof，hehadbeennotonlyawelcome，butapeculiarlycourtedguestofMrNorton’s；that，tothelast，favourshadbeenbeggedofhim，andfriendlinesssustained；thatforyears，hisportraithadlain，unchallenged，theprincipalornamentofthediningroomtable，andthatIhadneverimagineditnecessarytoconcealfrommyhusband，oranyoneelse，theprofoundenthusiasmandregardIfeltforthatgiftedandintellectualfriend，——whowasofmyfather’sgeneration，notmine。

LordMelbournehimselflaidmuchstressontheadmissionofthewitnesses，thattheyhadreceivedaweeklystipendfromanagent。Healwaysconsideredtheyhadbeensuborned，andinoneofhisnotesalludesthustothemanFluke：*——

"July3，1836。

"Wearetoldthatthewitness’Fluke，’madethemostoftheadvantagesofhissituation，whilstitlasted，andtyrannizedoverhisemployersunmercifully。HewouldnotleaveGuildforduntilhehadbothchickenandducklingforhisbreakfast，andinsisteduponcomingupinachaiseandfour。Itisapitythatwedidnotknowthesecircumstancesuponthedayoftrial。

"Yours，Melbourne。"

Whothe"employers"were，——wastheonlydoubt；anditwasthatdoubt，whichtheDukeofCumberlandendeavouredtoclearaway，——whenhedenied，onbehalfofthewholeToryparty，anyundueorungentlemanlikeinterferenceintheaffair。Nevertheless，when，aftertheMock—Trial，Ire—appearedattheIhavethoughtitworthwhiletore—print，inanAppendix，attheendofthispamphlet，partoftheswornevidenceofthisman。Letthosewhoreaditjudgeforthemselvesofthecasesosupported。Page67

EnglishCourt（whichwasnotwithoutexpresssanction，andsubsequenttoHerMajesty’smarriage）；myre—appearancewasmadeapartyquestion；

andoneortwooftheToryladies，knowntobeonespecialtermsoffamiliarfriendshipwiththeDukeofCumberland（thenKingofHanover）；openlyboastedthatintheirownlittlesetofRoyalandPoliticalpersonages，theywouldtreatthejuryverdictoftwelveuntitledEnglishgentlemenas"nonavenu。"ThattheWhigladies，andsuchpersonalfriendsasImighthaveontheToryside，mightdowhattheypleased；butthatevenintheCourtitselfsupportedtheverdictofacquittal，itwouldrequireonlyalittletimeandpatience（ontheprinciplelaiddownbySirR。Peel，thatthosewhocouldpersonallyapproachtheQueenmustnecessarilyinfluenceHerMajesty），tobringaboutachange。Iknowthisboastwasespeciallymadebyalady，whosehusbandhassinceheldCourtappointments，andwhosedulouslycultivatedmanyRoyalfriendships。Andthatsuchassumptionwasnotconsidered，——amongherownpartyatleast，——"thebaselessfabricofavision，"iscertainlyprovedbythestresslaid，inMay1839，ontheprivilegeofdismissingalltheQueen’sladies，exceptsuchaswereundertherankLadiesoftheBedchamber。

TheRoyaldecisionwasafterwardsmadepublic。——

"BuckinghamPalace，May10th，1839。

"TheQueenhavingconsideredtheproposalmadetoheryesterdaybySirRobertPeeltoremovetheLadiesofherBedchamber，cannotconsenttoadoptacoursewhichsheconceivestobecontrarytousage，andwhichisrepugnanttoherfeelings。"

SirRobert’sreplywasarespectfullywordedrefusaltotakeofficewiththatrestriction。IntheMinisterialexplanationofMay13th，1839，heexpresslystated，that——

"Noquestionaroseastotheformationoftheadministration，orastotheprinciplesonwhichtheGovernmentwastobeformedorconducted。ThedifficultyrelatedexclusivelytothatportionofthehouseholdwhichisfilledbytheLADIESinHerMajesty’sPage68

service。HerMajestyconcededwhatcouldbewishedorexpectedwithrespecttothatpartofthehouseholdwhichisfilledbynoblemenorgentlemenholdingseatsineitherHouseofParliament。ThedifficultyarosewithrespecttocertainportionsofthatpartoftheestablishmentwhichisfilledbytheLADIESofthehousehold。"

TheinfluencewhichtheladiesoftheCourt，then，weresupposedtoexercise，maybejudgedbythiscircumstance；whichwasheldtobeofsufficientimportancetodecidethenon—acceptanceofministerialpower。WhenIcomplainedtoLordMelbournethatthelady—expectantIhavealludedto，tookanactivepartagainstme：——hisanswerwas，——"notagainstyou——noneofthemcareaboutyou：itisagainstme，——andshe，inparticular，hasalwayshatedmelikepoison。"

FromhimIlearned，thatwhenononeoccasionwhilstherMajesty’scarriageswerepassingovertherace—groundatAscot，someoftheToryLadieshissed（whichcausedgreatscandal），thoseladiesexcusedthemselvesbysaying，they"intendednodisrespecttotheQueen，forthattheyhadhissed，notHerMajesty，butherMajesty’sMinisterLordMelbourne。"FromhimIlearnedalso，manyspeechesandsentimentsfromotherladies，whichIshouldnotelsehaveknown：andIconfessthattheconductofsomeofthesefemalePoliticians，——theircapacityforbitterpartisanship，andincapacityforcommonjustice，——amazedme。Iwasyoungenoughthen，toexpectthesympathyofallwomen；andI

wasastonishedatfindingladieswhosechildrenweremycontemporaries，lookinguponmenotonlywithoutpity，butwithanger，assomethingthatwastohavewreckedtheWhigPrimeMinister，andhadfailedtoaccomplishthatobject。Fortunatelyforme，kindnesswastherule，andharshnesstheexception。Ifmisfortunetaughtmesomebitterlessons，italsotaughtmethenoblenessofheartsonwhichIhadnoclaim。Fortunatelyalsoforme，Ihadtrueandgeneroussisters，——andafamilywhoseloveandprotectionalmostannulledthebitternessoftheseevents！

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Butneitherfamilyorfriendscouldhelpmetoredeemthosehostages——mychildren：andnotyetseeingmywaytothestruggleanewlawafterwardsenabledmetomake，Isupplicatedincessantlyandinvain。Ithoughtofnothing，dayornight，butmychildren。

LordMelbournewrotetome，surprisedatmysilenceafterthetrial；andItoldhimIwasbroken—heartedonthispoint，andhadwrittentopetitionmyhusbandformercyrespectingthem。Iwrotebitterlyanddespondingly；

andLordMelbourne’sreplieswerecertainlynotcheeringorcomforting。

HisangeragainstMrNortonforhavingsubmittedtobeemployed，toinjurenotonlyhimbuthisparty，——"thosewhoareattachedtome，andfollowmyfortunes，"——wasmixedwithsomethinglikereproachtome，fornothavingmorekeenlyandseverelyjudgedandforeseentheconductofthehusbandIhadtoiledandaskedfavoursfor。Ihadnotthe’lover’attributedtome；butIhadafriend，deeplywounded，andwhomIgrievedtowound；andthesearehisletters：——

"Southstreet，July2nd，1836。

"Well，comewhatmay，Iwillneveragain，fromsilenceoranyothersymptom，thinkthatyoucanmeananythingunkindoradversetome。IhavealreadytoldyouthatmostofthebitternesswhichIhavefeltduringthisaffair，wasuponyouraccount……IdonotthinkyourapplicationtoNortonwasjudicious。Fromthebeginning，youranxietytopreventpublicityhasinducedyoutoapplytohimtoomuch。Everycommunicationelateshim，andencourageshimtopersevereinhisbrutality。YououghttoknowhimbetterthanIdo，andmustdoso。

ButyouseemtometobehardlyawarewhataGNOMEheis：howperfectlyearthyandbestial。Heispossessedofadevil：andthatthemeanestandbasestfiend，thatdisgracestheinfernalregions。Inmyopinionhehassomehoworothermadethiswholemattersubservienttohispecuniaryinterest。

HehasgotMONEYbyit，from————orsomeoneelse。Ishouldfeelcertainofthis，ifitwerenotforhisfolly，whichissoexcessiveastorenderhimincapableevenofforwardinghisownlowdesigns。"

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"Southstreet，July19th，1836。

"Thereisnoknowingwhatthatmanmaydo，nowthatheislefttotheguidanceofhisownfeelings，andhisownunderstanding；andtotheadviceofthoseabouthim。YouknewthestateofyourowndomesticaffairsbetterthanIdid。Ionlyknewwhatyoutoldme；butitappearedtome，thatbylivingwithhimyouhadgrownlessalivetohisrealcharacterbybeingaccustomedtoit，andalsothatyouweresousedtomanagehimandtopreventhisfollies，thatyoureliedtoomuchonbeingablealwaystodoit。Recollectwhenyouwerewithhim，howstupidlyandbrutallyhecontinuallybehaved；particularly，forinstance，toHelen。Hisconducttherealwaysstruckmeasshowingaviolencewhichwaslikelyafterwardstobreakout。Nowthathehasnobodytoadvise，control，orsoothehim，whatfolliesorwhatabominableconducthemaypursue，itisimpossibletoconjecture。Ipityyouaboutthechildren。Itismostmelancholynottoknowwheretheyare，orwithwhom。"

"Southstreet，July24，1836。

"Isendyoubackthecopies。*

Iagreeverymuchinallyousayinyourletter。Theamountofallowancemakesagreatdifference。Ifyoucouldget300l。or400l。

（Ithinkyououghttohavethelattersum），thearrangementmightdotolerablywell。Buttheyareveryadvantageoustermsforhim，andshouldnotbeagreedto，exceptforsomethingapproachingtoanequivalent。Ithinkheshouldsecureyourincomebeyondhisownlife，uponanypropertythathemayhave。

Ihavenevermentionedmoneytoyou，andIhardlyliketodoitnow：yourfeelingshavebeensogalledthattheyhavenaturallybecomeverysoreandsensitive，andIknewnothowyoumighttakeit。Ihavehadattimesagreatmindtosendyousome，butIfearedtodoso。AsItrustwearenowupontermsofconfidentialandaffectionatefriendshipIventuretosaythatyouhavenothingtodobuttoexpressawish，anditshallbeinstantlycompliedwith。Imissyou。I

OfMrNorton’spropositions。Page71

missyoursocietyandconversation，everydayatthehoursatwhichIwasaccustomedtoenjoythem，andwhenyousaythatyourplacecaneasilybesupplied，youindulgeinalittlevanityandself—conceit。

Youknowwellenoughthatthereisnobodywhocanfillyourplace。Ihavebeenreading"TheWife，"andhavefinishedthesecondvolume。Itisfullofmostexcellentthings。’Lionel’istood——dabeast，and’Mary’makesagreatdealtoomuchsacrificeforhim，butitisnotunnatural。Manypeoplehaveactedasamiably，asromantically，andasfoolishly。Ithink，inordertotakeadvantageofwhatyouhaveobservedinotherpeople’scharacters，youhaveputintohis，whatdidnotbelongtoit。Forinstance，hisbeingsodisagreeableuponthejourney，——calculatingthecurrencyandadmiringnothingfineorbeautifuleitherinNatureorinArt，——iswhathasstruckyouinothers；andyouhavegraftedituponhim，inwhom，beingamanofgeniusandfeeling，itisnotnatural。

IsawBrinsleyandhiswifetheothernightatLordHertford’s。Ithoughthimrathercold。Noneofthemseemreallygladtoseeme，exceptCharlie。Butthereisnoreasontheyshouldbe。Iftheywentuponmyprinciple，（orrathermypractice）

ofdislikingthosewhocausemetrouble，uneasiness，vexation，withoutconsideringwhytheydoit，——theycertainlywouldnotrejoiceinmypresence。

Youarequiteright，anditshowsyourgoodsense，tobearinmindthatitmaybeofpermanentdisadvantagetoyourchildrentobeseparatedandestrangedfromtheirfather’sfamily，uponwhomtheymustprincipallydepend。Iexpectthatsomedayoranotheryouwillhavethemallthrownuponyou。Adieu，"Yours，Melbourne。"

"Southstreet，January7th，1837……"Doyouknow————tellsme，thatfromallhecanhear，hebelievesthatNortonhasreallygotthreethousandayear；andtenthousandpoundsdown"……

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"Southstreet，January18th，1837……"Ihavebeentoldto—daythatNortonhasbeentryingtomakeabargaintogiveuphisofficeinfavourofaMr————forathousandpounds。*

Itisjustlikehim。Isaidtothepersonwhogavemetheintelligence，’ifyoufinditout，stopthebargain，andstoptheappointment；butsayaslittleaspossibleaboutit，——foratleasthalfthedisgraceofthetransactionwillfalluponme，whoappointedhim。’Adieu，"Yours，Melbourne。"

This，then，isthehusband，whotoevadeapecuniarycontract，haslatelysubjectedmetothelastextremeofobloquy：thesearethelettersofthemanheproceededagainstinanEnglishCourtof’Justice，’fordamages：andsucharetheopinions，indespiteofwhich，MrNortondarestorevivetheslurhethrewuponmynameinthemadvengeanceofthehour，——whenSirJamesGrahamdeclinedhisconditionthatifheretractedwhathadbeensaidofme，weweretocontradictallthatwassaidofhim。LordMelbourne’slettersareinthemselvesevidencethatIsparedMrNorton。Themanmyhusbandaccusedasmylover，writestomeastoonenoteventhoroughlyawareofthathusband’smercenarynature。"Yououghttoknowhim——butyouseemtobehardlyawarewhataGNOMEheis。"……"Ionlyknewwhatyoutoldme，butitappearedtomethatbylivingwithhimyouhadgrownlessalivetohisrealcharacter，bybeingaccustomedtoit。"……"Recollecthowhebehaved，"&amp；c……

Phraseswhichprove，thattothelast，Ihadsparedhim，tothosewhocouldservehim——andtothosewhocouldnot。Andifitbeaskedwhy，havingsparedhimsolong，Iexposehimnow，——IanswerthatIamthejudge，——notothers，——whereen—

AtthetimeitwassupposedthatMrNortonwouldbeunable，afterthetrial，tobravepublicopinionbycontinuingtoholdtheplaceLordMelbournehadgivenhim。Page73

durancemergedinexasperation：andthattheboundarylinewasreached，thedayMrNortonmetmeintheCountyCourt；thedaythat，toevadeajustclaim，heunburiedallthefalsehoodsofthepast；endeavouredtodisgraceme（in1854，ashehaddonein1836）forthesakeofmoney；

andincoldbloodre—published，tothegrievingofmygrown—upsons，theslanderswhichhadblightedmyyouthintheirinfancy。ButforthatdayintheCountyCourt，MrNortonmighthavegonetohisgraveinseemingrespectability；ourhistoryknownonlytoafewfriends。Struggleandwarfarewereoverwithme。MuchofthebitternessIfelt，hadfadedwithtime；

muchhadvanishedwhenIrecoveredmysons。Whilethatbitternesswasyetfresh，andcircumstances，fromtimetotime，rousedmetodesireamorepublicjustification，——LordMelbournehimselfwasthefirsttopreachlessonsofpatience。Hespoketomeofthe"nineday’swonder"mystorywouldbe；

oftheperfectconvictionoftherealcircumstancesofmycase，entertainedbythosewhoseopinionIvalued；ofmyyouth，andthelikelihoodthatinafewyearsIwouldhave"liveddown"alltemporaryscandal；oftheembarrassmentitwouldbetohim，——astheministerofayoungunmarriedSovereign，——tohavesuchahistoryre—opened；——ofthedisloyalselfishnessheconceivedsuchastruggleonmypartwouldevince；oftheawkwardness，inparticular，ofanyattempttoproveinterferenceonthepartofthosePersonageswhohaddeniedittohim；ofthecertaintythatwhentheQueenwasmarried，andtheCourtmoreestablished，Iwouldfindintheearnestsupportofthosewhosefaithfulministerhehadbeen，anupholdingthatwouldmakemeforgetthedisgraceIhadenduredinhisname。

Hewasmyfriend，thoughnotmylover；andtheresolvesofmanyanangrydayandhoursubsidedunderhisinfluence。Inlateryearstherehadbeennoneedforsuchargumentsforsilence。IhadlongrelinquishedtheideaofwarfarewithMrNorton；andwasquietlymakingthebestofabaddestiny。

AlllastwinterPage74

IwasresidinginItalywithmytwosons；occupiedincompletingaworktobepublishedbyMessrsHurstandBlackett，theprofitsofwhichweredevotedtotheOxfordexpensesoftheyoungest。IhadjustnursedhimthroughoneofthosetediousNeapolitanfevers，fromwhichhehadsufferedfornineweeks，——Ihadmyselfbeenconfinedtomyroomforfiveweeks，——

andthiswasthetimechosenbyMrNorton，ashusbandandfather，foravainbattlingcorrespondence，compellingmyreturntoEngland，todebateatlawthecontractIthoughthadbeensettledforlife。Thiswasthetimechosen，——bysubpoenaingmypublishers，andclaimingtoreckonmyliterarygainsashisownpersonalrelief，——toestablishhislegalrighttoannuleventheserviceIcouldrendermyson：andtorevivelibelshehimselfhadathousandtimesadmittedtobefalse：bywhichheoncemoreputmeinthesameposition，astotherepellingofaccusation，thatIhadbeeninwhenourseparationtookplace，in1836。

Inthesameposition，onlyastothatonepoint。LordMelbourneisdead；mychildrenaregrownup；

Ihavenosecondyouth，towearawayinthefondhopeof"livingdown"MrNorton’sslanders，andmakingfriendshipsandcompanionshipsamongmyownsexwithoutthesorrowfulembarrassmentofa’story’toexplain。

IhavenosecondyouthIsay，tospendinasemi—justificationagainstthesefoulslanders。Therefore，onceforall，Idenythem：Idefythem：

Idisprovethem：andIregretonlythatIdidnotdo，yearsago，thatwhichIdothisday。Astowriting，Iwillneveragainwrite，whilemycopyrightsareheldtobeMrNorton’s；exceptonthissinglesubjectoftheLawsofProtectionforWomen。*Myyouthhasgonebyinstruggleandvexation；muchofitinbittersorrow：theyouthofotherwomenmaybesavedfromsuchItismyintentiontofollowthispamphletbyaselectionofsuchcasesasappeartomemostremarkableamongdecisionsintheCourtsofLaw；bearingonthegeneralpointofthiswantofprotection。Page75

suffering，bychangesinthelaw；andmywritingonthattopic，whilethelawisadmittedtobeinastateoftransition，may（withoutover—ratingmyownpower）haveasmuchinfluence，asotherindividualshavehadinthegradualremedyofotherdefectivelaws。Suchahopehasacertaindegreeofhappinessattachedtoit；evenifthelawberemediedtoolateformepersonallytoprofitmuchbythechange。

Icomenowtothehistoryofthecontract，intheattempttoevadewhich，MrNortonrevivedscandal，andbravedthisdefence。

InJuly1848，myhusband，——whohadforyearsallottedmepreciselywhathepleased，——desiredoncemoretoattempttoraisetheTrust—fundalludedtoatpage28；beingtheprovisionmadeonmymarriage，formeandmysons。Toraisethismoney，itwasnecessaryforhimtoobtainmywrittenconsent。Heappliedtomeaccordingly：andIrequestedhim，inexchange，toexecuteadeedofseparation，andsecuremeanincomeof600l。ayear；（whichIhadbeenassuredwastheminimumofallowancethatwouldhavebeengranted，ifIhadbeeninapositiontosueforalimony。）

MrNorton’sreplywasmerelyhagglingastoterms：hewouldnotgive600l。buthewouldgive500l。：andImustgivemyconsentatonce，toraisetheTrust—fund。

Heemployedmyinvalidson，whohadjustreturnedonleavefromLisbon，topressthisuponme；andtoexplainthathewantedthemoneyimmediately，toimprovetheestatelefttohimbyMissVaughan。Assoonasmysoninterfered，Imadehastetoyield：IwrotetoMrLeman，whoactedassolicitorformytrustees，tosaythatIconsentedtoallMrNortonproposed，——"mainlybecauseitisintolerabletometohavemysontalkovermattersofthiskind，fromhisfather。"ButIenteredonthearrangementwithadistrustwhichsubsequenteventsPage76

haveprovedtobemostamplyjustified。IcouldnotbutrememberthenumerousoccasionsonwhichMrNortonhadshownthatnopossiblereliancecouldbeplacedonhisword；andIshockedMrLeman，byexpectationsopenlyandrepeatedlyexpressedthatmyhusbandwould"cheat"me。EveryoneofthelettersIwroteonthisbusiness，containedthattrulypropheticwarning。

Thefirsthitchoccurred，fromMrNortoninsistingthatthedeedwhichwastobeonlyprospective，forme，shouldbeguaranteedretrospectively（foraperiodofnolessthantenyears），asfarashisownpecuniaryadvantagewasconcerned。Thiswasutterlyrefused，andtheguaranteeIhadnameddeclinedtoact。MrLemantoldme，thatwithoutaguaranteethedeedofseparationhehadprepared，wouldbeinvalid。IansweredthatifIcouldnotobtainalegalseparation，Isupposedsomeotherkindofdeedorbondcouldbeexecuted；bywhichMrNortoncouldbe"BOUND："andthatIwastoseealegalfriendwhomIwouldconsultonthesubject。

ThatlegalfriendwasSirFrederickThesiger；whoconsented，atmyearnestrequest，toreceiveMrNortonathischambers。Havingseenhim，SirF。Thesigerwrotetomethatmyhusbandwouldexecuteadeedofseparation：thathedidnotrequireguarantees，butinsistedonmyaccedingtotheconditionofhisretrospectiveadvantage；whichnoguaranteewouldhaveaccededto；butwhichhedeclaredI，personally，hadpromisedhim。SirF。Thesigerthenadded，——"ifheiscorrectinthisstatement"——"assumingtheaccuracyofNorton’sassertion。"——"I

shouldventuretorecommendyounottoaimatanyalterationoftheterms，buttoembracetheoffernowmade，ofgivingyouthesecurityofadeedofseparation；whichyouhavesolongearnestlydesired，andwhichItrust，willhavetheeffectofplacingyouinasituationofmorecompletetranquillitythanithasbeenyourlottoenjoyformanyyears。"

IdidthenwhatIwasadvised；

Iyieldedthepointofretrospectiveprotection。Iagreed，thatfortenyearspast，andPage77

forallyearstocome，MrNortonshouldneverbetroubledwithanydebtofmine；heagreeinginfuturetopay500l。ayear。ItoldMrLemanIwouldbecontentwithsuchadeed，signedbyMrNortonandwitnessedbySirF。Thesiger；andIlefttownonavisittoLordRutherford，thethenLordAdvocateofScotland。ThenewdeedwassenttoScotlandformetosign。Iobeyed；andreturneditbypost。Itneveroccurredtomeaspossible，thattheinstrumentwasvalueless。IfIhadthoughtso，Iwouldnothavegonethroughtheridiculousfarceofsigningit。Ireceiveditasthevalidsubstitutefortheunexecuteddeedpreviouslythrownaside；

andasasettlementforlife。MrNorton，inhispublishedletter，saysthatheknewatthetime，itwasinvalid。Ifso，hewasguiltyofdeliberatefraud：forthedeedpretendedtomakepermanentconditions，andincludedthecontingencyofhissucceedingtothepeeragebysurvivinghisbrother。Eventhelatelydisputedchanceofmyprovidingfordebtbeyondtheallowancesosecured，——byliteraryorotherresources，——hadbeendulycontemplated：SirF。ThesigerhadwrittentoMrLemantoguardagainstMrNorton’sinterferenceinsuchacase，intheseterms：——"Iforeseethegermsofendlessdifferencesifitweretobepermitted……ThespiritoftheagreementIunderstandtobe，thatacertainprovisionshouldbesecuredtoMrsNorton；thatMrNortonshouldbedischargedfromallliabilityforherdebts，andthatneithershouldtroubleorinterferewiththeother。"

Thatwasalsomyexactunderstandingofthecase；andMrNortonhastenedtogivethisearnestassuranceinreply。"IcanhavenowishtointerferewithMrsNorton’saffairs：stilllesswithherdebts：youmaybindmeasstringentlyasyoupleasenottointerferewithheraffairs。Ishallpayherallowanceunderthedeed，withthesameregularityIhavepaidherpreviousallowance。"IhadyettolearnhoweasilyIhadbeenoutwitted！

Onthestrengthofthemomentaryvalueofmysignature，MrNortoninstantlyPage78

raisedthemoneyhewanted；andleftmetoascertainatleisurewhatwasthevalueofhissignature。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读