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，\"&；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，neednotweighontheconscienceliketheriddanceofStThomasà；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，\"&；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。