Part 19 (1/2)

'A I BYRON'

We observe in this letter that it is written to be shown to Lady Byron's father, and receive his sanction; and, as that father was in ignorance of all the deeper causes of trouble in the case, it will be seen that the letter must necessarily be a reserved one This sufficiently accounts for the guarded character of the language when speaking of the causes of separation One part of the letter incidentally overthrows Lord Byron's state his life, and which is repeated for hi, as she claims, expelled by him

She recalls to Lord Byron's mind the 'desire and detere to free hi with the 'absolute desire,' signified by writing, that she should leave his house on the earliest day possible; and she places the cause of the separation on his having 'too painfully'

convinced her that he does not want her--as a wife

It appears that Augusta hesitates to show this note to her brother It is bringing on a crisis which she, above all others, would most wish to avoid

In the meantime, Lady Byron receives a letter from Lord Byron, which makes her feel it more than ever essential to make the decision final I have reason to believe that this letter is preserved in Lady Byron's papers:--

'Feb 4, 1816

'I hope, my dear A, that you would on no account withhold from your brother the letter which I sent yesterday in answer to yours written by his desire, particularly as one which I have received from himself to-day renders it still more important that he should know the contents of that addressed to you I am, in haste and not very well,

'Yours most affectionately,

'A I BYRON'

The last of this series of letters is less like the style of Lady Byron than any of thee whether it is a whole consecutive letter, or fragreat want of that clearness and precision which usually characterised Lady Byron's style It shows, however, that the decision is rets on account of the sister who has tried so long to prevent it

'KIRKBY MALLORY, Feb 14, 1816

'The present sufferings of all s Do not despair absolutely, dearest; and leave h of your interest to afford you any consolation by partaking of that sorrohich I am most unhappy to cause thus unintentionally You will be of my opinion hereafter; and at present your bitterest reproach would be forgiven, though Heaven knows you have consideredbut my affection for B, one most dear to you, could deserve I s Farewell!

God bless you from the bottom of my heart!

'A I B'

We are here to consider that Mrs Leigh has stood to Lady Byron in all this long agony as her only confidante and friend; that she has denied the charges her brother hasinsane atteed to watch over and control

Lady Byron has cousta is mistaken as to insanity; that there is a real wicked purpose and desire on the part of the brother, not as yet believed in by the sister She regards the sister as one, who, though deceived and blinded, is still worthy of confidence and consideration; and so says to her, 'You will be of my opinion hereafter'

She says, 'You have considered h is, in Lady Byron's eyes, a most abused and innocent woman, who, to spare her sister in her delicate situation, has taken on herself the whole charge of a e and actions of the h did not flee the house at once under such circuement of the case, seereater than she can acknowledge

The knowledge of the whole extent of the truth came to Lady Byron's mind at a later period

We now take up the history froton's letter to Lady Byron, published at the close of her statement

The application to Lord Byron for an act of separation was positively refused at first; it being an important part of his policy that all the responsibility and insistence should come from his wife, and that he should appear forced into it contrary to his will

Dr Lushi+ngton, however, says to Lady Byron,--

'I was originally consulted by Lady Noel on your behalf while you were in the country The circumstances detailed by her were such as justified a separation; but they were not of that aggravated description as to render such a measure indispensable On Lady Noel's representations, I deemed a reconciliation with Lord Byron practicable, and feltit