For some weeks after this Leicester was, or affected to be, in love with me, and was constantly making up little parties to the minor theatres for my amusement. One night Amy caught a glimpse of us at some public place, I forget which. "Kitty," said Amy to Mrs. Armstrong, "there is Harriette with a new man. I must go and call on her without fail to-morrow." I was consequently honoured with her early visit the next day. "How do you do, Harriette?" said kind Amy. "I called to inquire after your health; because you looked rather pale last night at the ----. Apropos! who was that elegant-looking man with you?" Having answered her first question, she begged to know when I was likely to see him again. "Leicester Stanhope wants me to go to Drury Lane to-night, and has taken a private box for me." "Oh! pray do admit me of your party," said Amy, "for I am so very dull and ill." I understood her perfectly, and was well aware of two things,--first, that she would try hard to make Leicester fall in love with her, and, secondly, she would by various little spiteful hints, uttered in a tone of innocent _naïveté_, do her best to inspire him with contempt for me: but what did I care for Leicester Stanhope, or any one of his stupid race, beyond the mere pastime these attentions might afford me, _pour le moment?_ Therefore I invited Amy to join us. In less than a fortnight from that evening, Amy and Leicester were to be found ruralising together at a retired pothouse at Putney, or Clapham, or some such place, for their honeymoon! I forget which of them got tired first; but I know one of them was tired in less than a week, and Amy returned to town and her dear variety. I too must return to my dear Worcester, whose noble father had allowed him six or eight months more to grow tired of me, during which time nothing very remarkable occurred, except that Worcester's love and passion absolutely did increase daily, although that was what I had imagined to be morally and physically impossible. His Grace now became furious again, and so did his gentle duchess. Their Graces were both in town, and tormented Worcester hourly. The Duchess often declared, in the presence of a female servant, who afterwards repeated it to me, that she should prefer seeing her son dead under his horse's feet, to his ever becoming my husband! His Grace thought that we had been privately married. Worcester was desirous that I should disguise myself, and go with him to Gretna Green. "Have you forgotten the promise you made to your father?" I asked. "It was a conditional promise," answered his lordship, "and my father has broken the conditions. You see that he refuses to let me live on with you in peace, and again, and again, I must solemnly swear to make you my wife, whenever I can obtain your consent!"