y wicked thoughts in execution.

Amy and I lay in our chamber, and the next morning at breakfast we were
talking of what the servants (for there were thirteen of them in all,
viz., two coachmen, four footmen, a groom, and postillion, two women
cooks, two housemaids, and a laundry-maid, besides Isabel, who was my
waiting-maid, and Amy, who acted as housekeeper) could say of the
disturbance that was in the family. "Pho!" said Amy, "never trouble your
head about that, for family quarrels are so common in noblemen's houses,
both here and in England, that there are more families parted, both in
bed and board, than live lovingly together. It can be no surprise to the
servants, and if your neighbours should hear it, they will only think
you are imitating the air of nobility, and have more of that blood in
you than you appeared to have when you and your lord lived happily
together."

The time, I own, went very sluggishly on. I had no company but Amy and
Isabel, and it was given out among the servants of noblemen and gentry
that I was very much indisposed, for I thought it a very improper time
either to receive or pay visits.

In this manner I lived till the month was up that my daughter was to
come again to my lord, for although I went morning, noon, and night,
into his apartment to see him, I seldom had a quarter of an hour's
discourse with him, and oftentimes one of his valets would be sent to
tell me his lord was busy, a little before the time I usually went,
which I found was to prevent my going in to him, but this was only when
he was in an ill humour, as his man called it.

Whether my lord used to make himself uneasy for want of mine or other
company, I cannot tell, but the servants complained every day, as I
heard by Amy, that his lordship ate little or nothing, and would
sometimes shed tears when he sat down by himself to breakfast, dinner,
or supper; and, indeed, I began to think that he looked very thin, his
countenance grew pale, and that he had every other sign of a grieved or
broken heart.

My daughter came to him one Monday morning, and stayed with him in his
study near two hours. I wondered at the reason of it, but could guess at
nothing certain; and at last she went away, but I fixed myself so as to
see her as she passed by me, and she appeared to have a countenance full
of satisfaction.

In the evening, when I went in as usual, he spoke to me in a freer style
than he had done since our breach. "Well, mad