Cavalier's) extraordinary usage. _He_ opposed it
with all his might because of the alimony, which has been assigned,
with all her goods, chattels, carriage, &c. to be restored by him.
In Italy they can't divorce. He insisted on her giving me up, and
he would forgive every thing,--* * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * But, in this
country, the very courts hold such proofs in abhorrence, the
Italians being as much more delicate in public than the English, as
they are more passionate in private.

"The friends and relatives, who are numerous and powerful, reply to
him--'_You_, yourself, are either fool or knave,--fool, if you did
not see the consequences of the approximation of these two young
persons,--knave, if you connive at it. Take your choice,--but don't
break out (after twelve months of the closest intimacy, under your
own eyes and positive sanction) with a scandal, which can only make
you ridiculous and her unhappy.'

"He swore that he thought our intercourse was purely amicable, and
that _I_ was more partial to him than to her, till melancholy
testimony proved the contrary. To this they answer, that 'Will of
_this_ wisp' was not an unknown person, and that 'clamosa Fama' had
not proclaimed the purity of my morals;--that _her_ brother, a year
ago, wrote from Rome to warn him that his wife would infallibly be
led astray by this ignis fatuus, unless he took proper measures,
all of which he neglected to take, &c. &c.

"Now he says that he encouraged my return to Ravenna, to see '_in
quanti piedi di acqua siamo_,' and he has found enough to drown him
in. In short,

"'Ce ne fut pas le tout; sa femme se plaignit--
Proces--La parente se joint en excuse et dit
Que du _Docteur_ venoit tout le mauvais menage;
Que cet homme etoit fou, que sa femme etoit sage.
On fit casser le mariage.'

It is but to let the women alone, in the way of conflict, for they
are sure to win against the field. She returns to her father's
house, and I can only see her under great restrictions--such is the
custom of the country. The relations behave very well:--I offered
any settlement, but they refused to accept it, and swear she
_sha