leman was also rivalled by Lord C. H--, a Scotchman, who had been an
intimate and relation of my former husband. Him I would have preferred
to most of his competitors, and actually coquetted with him for some
time: but the amour was interrupted by his going to Ireland; upon which
occasion, understanding that he was but indifferently provided with
money, I made him a present of a gold snuff-box, in which was enclosed
a bank-note; a trifling mark of my esteem, which he afterwards justified
by the most grateful, friendly, and genteel behaviour; and as we
corresponded by letters, I frankly told him, that Mr. S--- had stepped
in, and won the palm from all the rest of my admirers.

"This new favourite's mother and sister, who lived in the neighbourhood,
were my constant companions; and, in consequence of this intimacy, he
never let a day pass without paying his respects to me in person; nay,
so ingenious was he in contriving the means of promoting his suit, that
whether I rode or walked, went abroad or stayed at home, he was always
of course one of the party; so that his design seemed to engross his
whole vigilance and attention. Thus he studied my disposition, and
established himself in my good opinion at the same time. He found my
heart was susceptible of every tender impression, and saw that I was not
free from the vanity of youth; he had already acquired my friendship
and esteem, from which he knew there was a short and easy transition to
love. By his penetration choosing proper seasons for the theme, he urged
it with such pathetic vows and artful adulation, as well might captivate
a young woman of my complexion and experience, and circumstanced as I
was, with a husband whom I had such reason to despise.

"Though he thus made an insensible progress in my heart, he did not find
my virtue an easy conquest; and I myself was ignorant of the advantage
he had gained with regard to my inclinations, until I was convinced of
his success by an alarm of jealousy which I one day felt, at seeing him
engaged in conversation with another lady. I forthwith recognized this
symptom of love, with which I had been formerly acquainted, and trembled
at the discovery of my own weakness. I underwent a strange agitation
and mixture of contrary sensations. I was pleased with the passion,
yet ashamed of avowing it even to my own mind. The rights of a husband,
though mine was but a nominal one, occurred to my reflection, and
virtue, modesty, and hon