LADY G. 'Began!' She knows that already, I tell you, my lord. But what has passed within these four hours, she knows not: you may entertain her with that, if you please.--It was just about the time this day is a week, that we were altogether, mighty comfortably, at St. George's, Hanover-square-- LORD G. Every tittle of what you promised there, madam-- LADY G. And I, my lord, could be your echo in this, were I not resolved to keep my temper, as you cannot but say I have done, all along. LORD G. You could not, madam, if you did not despise me. LADY G. You are wrong, my lord, to think so: but you don't believe yourself: if you did, the pride of your heart ought not to permit you to own it. LORD G. Miss Byron, give me leave-- LADY G. Lord bless me! that people are so fond of exposing themselves! Had you taken my advice, when you pursued me out of my dressing-room into company--My lord, said I, as mildly as I now speak, Don't expose yourself. But he was not at all the wiser for my advice. LORD G. Miss Byron, you see--But I had not come down but to make my compliments to you. He bowed, and was about to withdraw. I took him by the sleeve--My lord, you must not go. Lady G----, if your own heart justifies you for your part in this misunderstanding, say so; I challenge you to say so.--She was silent. HAR. If otherwise, own your fault, promise amendment--ask pardon. LADY G. Hey-day! HAR. And my lord will ask yours, for mistaking you--For being too easily provoked-- LORD G. Too easily, madam-- HAR. What generous man would not smile at the foibles of a woman whose heart is only gay with prosperity and lively youth; but has not the least malice in it? Has not she made choice of your lordship in preference of any other man? She rallies every one; she can't help it: she is to blame.--Indeed, Lady G----, you are. Your brother felt your edge; he once smarted by it, and was angry with you.--But afterwards, observing that it was her way, my lord; that it was a kind of constitutional gaiety of heart, and exercised on those she loved best; he forgave, rallied her again, and turned her own weapons upon her; and every one in company was delighted with the spirit of both.--You love her, my lord. LORD G. Never man more loved a woman. I am not an ill-natured man-- LADY G. But a captious, a passionate one, Lord G----. Who'd have thought it? LORD G. Never was there, my dear Miss Byron, such a strangely-aggravating creature! She could not be so, if she did not despise me.