daunt, and feel that, could I but justify the purity of Lady Annandale, I would forego the hope of ever again beholding her; though that hope has sustained me ever since I have indulged the fatal passion that has wrought such misery to her.

Ever yours,

NOTTINGHAM.

MISS MONTRESSOR TO LA MARQUISE

DE VILLEROI.

I HAVE just witnessed, ma chère amie, the most painful scene; and my nerves are so dreadfully shaken by it, that I can scarcely hold my pen. I wish I had never embarked in the scheme that has produced all this chagrin to persons for whom I really felt no ill-will; for, now that the dénoûment of what I intended should be a comedy is at hand, it begins to

look more like a downright, earnest tragedy; and I hate tragedies, off or on the stage. But, to resume. Lord Annandale's solicitor questioned the servants: the story of the nurse being forbid to bring the child to the boudoir, and the locked door, came out; and these, coupled with Lord Nottingham's long and daily visits, were considered by the man of law as conclusive proofs, fit to satisfy a jury. Consequently an action for damages is to be forthwith commenced against Lord Nottingham, preparatory to an application for a divorce.

Lord Annandale communicated this intention to poor Augusta, in a laconic letter, containing some imperious lines; and also wrote to her father, informing him of his desire that she should leave Annandale House. He begged of me not to see her, and proposed my going to the Comtesse Hohenlinden's until my aunt sent for me, as it was derogatory to my present and

future position, he said, to remain a single day beneath the roof of a woman who had so completely compromised her honour as Augusta had done. I could not resist asking him whether he was not aware that the comtesse had compromised hers a thousandfold more? He looked at me with surprise, and then answered,

"That the actual guilt of the parties was not the point to be considered; but the circumstance, that, in the case of Lady Annandale, not only was the guilt presumed, but the husband had denounced her: whereas the husband of the comtesse still countenanced her; and, consequently, her honour was in no degree compromised."

And this, chère amie, is the moral of the fashionable world in London!

It appears that Annandale, with his usual faiblesse, has kept the comtesse au courant of all

that he has discovered. I strongly suspect, entre nous, that sa seigneurie, prompted by jealousy of the beauty, and anger at the reserve and coldness of Augusta's manner to her, has urged him to be still more severe towards his poor wife; though this instigation was unnecessary, for the wound offered to his vanity by the terms in which he is named in the diary, has rendered him implacable. I have ascertained from his own lips that it was my artful flattery which won his decided preference for me; consequently I have not the satisfaction of thinking, that otherwise he would ever have liked me. Vain, weak, and unfeeling man! if he knew that, even while profiting by his weakness, I despise him, what would he think?

I have received a note from the Comtesse Hohenlinden, which I send to you. What a world we live in!

"Ma chère Caroline, poor dear Lord An

nandale has informed me of the shocking conduct of miladi. Now that it is all discovered, and the whole town talking of nothing else, it will be very improper in you to stay a single hour under the same room with a person who has compromised her reputation so dreadfully. She will, of course, be cut by every one; and few will pity a lady who was so very prudish and severe towards others. I shall be charmed to receive you, ma chère, chez moi, and have ordered an apartment to be prepared. The carriage shall convey you from Annandale House at any hour you will name. I should in person conduct you hither, but I have such a horror of coming in contact with that very naughty woman, or of being even supposed to enter Annandale House while she remains in it, that I dare not go to you. The comte is, and with reason, extremely particular that I should not commit myself by associating with