I took a chair to Lady G----'s. Emily ran to meet me in the hall. She threw her arms about me: I rejoice you are come, said she. Did you not meet the house in the square?--What means my Emily?--Why, it has been flung out of the windows, as the saying is. Ah madam! we are all to pieces. One so careless, the other so passionate!--But, hush! Here comes Lady G----. Take, Lucy, in the dialogue-way, particulars. LADY G. Then you are come, at last, Harriet. You wrote, that you would not come near me. HAR. I did; but I could not stay away. Ah, Lady G----, you will destroy your own happiness! LADY G. So you wrote. Not one word, on the subject you hint at, that you have ever said or written before. I hate repetitions, child. HAR. Then I must be silent upon it. LADY G. Not of necessity. You can say new things upon old subjects.-- But hush! Here comes the man.--She ran to her harpsichord--Is this it, Harriet? and touched the keys--repeating "Softly sweet, in Lydian measures, Soon she sooth'd---- ----" ENTER LORD G. LORD G. Miss Byron, I am your most obedient servant. The sight of you rejoices my soul.--Madam (to his lady), you have not been long enough together to begin a tune. I know what this is for-- LADY G. Harmony! harmony! is a charming thing! But I, poor I! know not any but what this simple instrument affords me. LORD G. [Lifting up his hands.] Harmony, madam! God is my witness-- But I will lay every thing before Miss Byron. LADY G. You need not, my lord: she knows as much as she can know, already; except the fine colourings be added to the woeful tale, that your unbridled spirit can give it.--Have you my long letter about you, Harriet? LORD G. And could you, madam, have the heart to write-- LADY G. Why, my lord, do you mince the matter? For heart, say courage. You may speak as plain in Miss Byron's presence, as you did before she came: I know what you mean. LORD G. Let it be courage, then. HAR. Fie, fie, Lord G----! Fie, fie, Lady G----! What lengths do you run! If I understand the matter right, you have both, like children, been at play, till you have fallen out. LORD G. If, Miss Byron, you know the truth, and can blame me-- HAR. I blame you only, my lord, for being in a passion. You see, my lady is serene: she keeps her temper: she looks as if she wanted to be friends with you. LORD G. O that cursed serenity!--When my soul is torn by a whirlwind-- LADY G. A good tragedy rant!--But, Harriet, you are mistaken: My Lord G---- is a very passionate man. So humble, so--what shall I call it? before marriage--Did not the man see what a creature I was?--To bear with me, when he had no obligation to me; and not now, when he has the highest--A miserable sinking!--O Harriet, Harriet! Never, never marry! HAR. Dear Lady G----, you know in your own heart you are wrong--Indeed you are wrong-- LORD G. God for ever reward you, madam!--I will tell you how it began--