and was so
perfectly qualified in the innocence of my heart, to 'pluck that
mote from my neighbour's eye.'

"I feel very, very much obliged by your approbation; but, at _this
moment_, praise, even _your_ praise, passes by me like 'the idle
wind.' I meant and mean to send you a copy the moment of
publication; but now I can think of nothing but damned,
deceitful,--delightful woman, as Mr. Liston says in the Knight of
Snowdon. Believe me, my dear Moore,

"Ever yours, most affectionately,

"BYRON."

* * * * *

The passages here omitted contain rather _too_ amusing an account of a
disturbance that had just occurred in the establishment at Newstead, in
consequence of the detected misconduct of one of the maid-servants, who
had been supposed to stand rather too high in the favour of her master,
and, by the airs of authority which she thereupon assumed, had disposed
all the rest of the household to regard her with no very charitable
eyes. The chief actors in the strife were this sultana and young
Rushton; and the first point in dispute that came to Lord Byron's
knowledge (though circumstances, far from creditable to the damsel,
afterwards transpired) was, whether Rushton was bound to carry letters
to "the Hut" at the bidding of this female. To an episode of such a
nature I should not have thought of alluding, were it not for the two
rather curious letters that follow, which show how gravely and coolly
the young lord could arbitrate on such an occasion, and with what
considerate leaning towards the servant whose fidelity he had proved, in
preference to any new liking or fancy by which it might be suspected he
was actuated towards the other.

* * * * *

LETTER 84. TO ROBERT RUSHTON.

"8. St. James's Street, Jan. 21. 1812.

"Though I have no objection to your refusal to carry _letters_ to
Mealey's, you will take care that the letters are taken by _Spero_
at the proper time. I have also to observe, that Susan is to be
treated with civility, and not _insulted_ by any person over whom
I have the smallest control, or, indeed, by any one whatever, while
I have the power to protect her. I am truly sorry to have any
subject of complaint against _you_; I have too good an opinion of
you to think I shall have occasion to repeat it, after the care I
have taken of you, an