ich while her majesty was at
play, was, God knows, pretty well crowded. Lady Denham was the first who
discovered what they thought would pass unperceived in the crowd; and
you may very well judge hew secret she would keep such a circumstance.
The truth is, she addressed herself to me first of all, as I entered the
room, to tell me that I should give my wife a little advice, as other
people might take notice of what I might see myself, if I pleased.

"Your cousin was at play, as I before told you: the duke was sitting
next to her: I know not what was become of his hand; but I am sure that
no one could see his arm below the elbow: I was standing behind them,
just in the place that Lady Denham had quitted: the duke turning round
perceived me, and was so much disturbed at my presence, that he almost
undressed my lady in pulling away his hand. I know not whether they
perceived that they were discovered; but of this I am convinced, that
Lady Denham will take care that everybody shall know it. I must confess
to you, that my embarrassment is so great, that I cannot find words to
express what I now feel: I should not hesitate one moment what course to
take, if I might be allowed to show my resentment against the person who
has wronged me. As for her, I could manage her well enough, if, unworthy
as she is of any consideration, I had not still some regard for an
illustrious family, that would be distracted were I to resent such an
injury as it deserves. In this particular you are interested yourself:
you are my friend, and I make you my confidant in an affair of the
greatest imaginable delicacy: let us then consult together what is
proper to be done in so perplexing and disagreeable a situation."

Hamilton, if possible, more astonished, and more confounded than
himself, was far from being in a proper state to afford him advice on
the present occasion: he listened to nothing but jealousy, and breathed
nothing but revenge; but these emotions being somewhat abated, in hopes
that there might be calumny, or at least exaggeration in the charges
against Lady Chesterfield, he desired her husband to suspend his
resolutions, until he was more fully informed of the fact; assuring him,
however, that if he found the circumstances such as he had related, he
should regard and consult no other interest than his.

Upon this they parted; and Hamilton found, on the first inquiry, that
almost the whole court was informed of the adventure, to which e