ing to this gallant,
I conversed with a Scotch nobleman, who, according to common report, had
formerly sighed among my admirers. By these means, in seeking to avoid
one error, I unwittingly plunged myself into a greater, and disobliged
Lord W-- so much, that he could not conceal his displeasure; nay, so
deeply was he offended at my conduct, that, in the evening, when the
ball began, he would scarce deign to take me by the hand in the course
of dancing, and darted such unkind looks, as pierced me to the very
soul. What augmented my concern, was my ignorance of the trespass I had
committed. I was tortured with a thousand uneasy reflections; I began to
fear that I had mistaken his temper, and given my heart to a man who was
tired of possession; though I resolved to bear without complaining the
misfortune I had entailed upon myself.

"I seized the first opportunity of speaking to him, and thereby
discovered the cause of his chagrin; but, as there was no time for
expostulation, the misunderstanding continued on his side, with such
evident marks of uneasiness, that every individual of the company made
up to me, and inquired about the cause of his disorder; so that I was
fain to amuse their concern, by saying, that he had been ill the day
before, and dancing did not agree with his constitution. So much was he
incensed by this unhappy circumstance of my conduct, which was void of
all intention to offend him, that he determined to be revenged on me
for my indiscretion, and at supper, chancing to sit between two very
handsome ladies, one of whom is lately dead, and the other, at present,
my neighbour in the country, he affected an air of gaiety, and openly
coquetted with them both.

"This was not the only punishment he inflicted on his innocent wife. In
the course of our entertainment, we engaged in some simple diversion,
in consequence of which the gentlemen were ordered to salute the ladies;
when Lord W--, in performing this command, unkindly neglected me in my
turn; I had occasion for all my discretion and pride, to conceal
from the company the agonies I felt at this mark of indifference and
disrespect. However, I obtained the victory over myself, and pretended
to laugh at his husband-like behaviour, while the tears stood in my eyes
and my heart swelled even to bursting.

"We broke up about five, after having spent the most tedious evening I
had ever known; and this offended lover went to bed in a state of sullen
silence an