"Lady Mary, perceiving how things were like to go, did what I
was always afraid of, and could not possibly prevent: she went
in rage to her poor sister, and so swaggered and frightened
her, that she relapsed. While she was about that fine piece of
work, Lord Erskine happened to go to Lady Mar's; and in his
presence Lady Mary continued to this purpose with her sister:
'Can you pretend to be well? Don't you know you are still mad?
You shan't get out of my custody; and if Lord Grange and his
confederates bring you before Lord Chancellor, I'll make you,
in open court, in presence of the world, lay your hand on the
Gospel, and swear by Almighty God, whether you can say you are
yet well. Your salvation shall be at stake; for, remember,
perjury infers damnation--your eternal damnation.' So soon as
I was informed of this, I assured my lady (and so did others,)
that in law no such oath could be put to, her, and that Lady
Mary had only said so to fright her. But so strong was the
fright, that nothing we could say was able to set her right
again. And Lady Mary, having thus dismounted her came again
and coaxed her, and (as I found by diverse instances) strove
to give her bad impressions of her family, and everybody but
Lady Mary's sweet self. Yet next day Lady Mar went and dined
at Mr Baillie's in town, and there saw a deal of company, and
behaved very well. And Dr Arbuthnot, who, among others, saw
her there, said he thought her very well; and had not the turn
happened you will presently hear of, he and Dr Monro (son to
Mr Monro who, at the Revolution, was Principal of Edinburgh
College, and is now physician to Bedlam,) and Dr Mead, were
to have gone to her with me next day and afterwards, that
they might have vouched her condition before the chancellor.
I believed it best for me not to be at Mr Baillie's, that all
might appear as it was, free and natural, and not conducted by
any art of mine; only I went thither about seven at night, and
found her in a room with Ladies Harvey, Binning, Murray, Lady
Grizzel Baillie, and others. She was behaving decently, but
with the gravity of one that is wearied and tired. Mr Baillie
himself, and the other gentlemen and ladies, (a great many
being in the next room,) now and then joined us, and she seemed
not in anything discomposed, till the conversation turned on
her sister's late insult, which, it was visible, gave a shock
to her, and disconcerted her; and when Lady Murray and I went
home with her to Knightsbridge, she was so dumpish that she
scarcely said one word. When I went to her next day, I saw how
strongly Lady Mary's physic wrought, and dissipated her poor
returning senses. She had before urged me earnestly to proceed
faster than was fit, to get her before the chancellor, and do
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