LateinthesameautumnIreceivednewsfromLisbon，thatmysonwasconsideredbythephysiciansthere，tobedying：andIhurriedlyproceededtoLondontomakepreparationsforgoingouttojoinhim。WhileIwasthusanxiouslyoccupied，intelligencereachedmeofthedangerousillnessofLordMelbourne，andhediedaboutafortnightbeforeIsailedforPortugal。IreturnedtheensuingyeartoEngland。Mysonwasbetter，andaccompaniedmehome：mymotherwasthenill，butsheralliedandtemporarilyrecovered。IwentwithmysontoGermanyandBelgium；returnedagaintoEngland；andinJune，1851，mymotherdied。
Atherdeath，MrNortoninheritedthelife—interestofmyportionfrommyfather，whichhadnotbeensecuredtomeinanyway：andIinherited，——securedtomemostcarefully，guardedfromtherapacityofmyhusband，byeveryexpressioninmymother’swill，——andincomeforlifeof480l。AssoonasMrNortonfoundIhadthislegacy，andsixmonthsbeforeIreceivedonefarthingfromit，hewrotethathecouldnolongerpaymethesumsecured（asI
imagined）bythedeedofagreementwebothhadsigned；andhebeggedtoinquirewhatdeductionImyselfwouldproposeinmyallowance，——"suchdeductiontocommencefromthetimethatIshouldreceiveanymoneyundermymother’swill。"Ireplied，thatIcouldproposenodeduction；thatmymother’sbequestwasexpresslyintendedasanaddition，toekeoutthemeagreallowancehemademe，andnotasasubstituteforsuchallowance；thatyearsoflitigation，dispute，anddebt，theillnessofmyson，andmyconstantjourniesandresidencesabroad，inconsequenceofsuchillness，——hadcrippledmymeans；
thatmymother’sassistancewasintendedformeandformysons；（notforthehusbandwhohadruinedandwrongedmeinthedaysofmyyouth，whenalltheloveofmyfamily，andallthelawofEngland，Page79
failedtoprotectmeagainsthim）。MrNortonrejoined，thatwhatIwouldnotyield，hewouldtake；thatIshouldeitherconsenttohisdeducting200l。ayearashisadvantagefromthe480l。
lefttome，orhewouldnotgivemeanything；thatIcouldnotcompelhim；
thatastotheagreementMrLemanhaddrawnup，hedefiedmetoproveitvalid"as，bylaw，ManandWifewereone，andcouldnotcontractwitheachother；andthedeedwasthereforegoodfornothing。"
Iremindedhimthatthedeedwasinfactamatterofbargain，ashehadexpresslyurgeditsbeingdrawnup，inordertoobtainmysignaturetoraisethetrust—moneyhewanted——thathehadhadhisadvantage，andthatitwasmostdishonourabletoevadethecovenantasregardedme。MrNortonlaughedattheargument，andstoodtothefact，thatinlawIcouldnothelpmyself，andthatthedeedwasvalueless。
Iinquiredwhetherthiswastrue，andwasinformedthatMrNortonprobablycouldevadetheperformanceofhiscovenant；——becausethefictionofthelawwas，that"manandwifeareone，"——andnottwocontractingparties——thathewasnotboundtherefore"inlaw，"only"inhonour。"
IaskedwhatIcoulddounderthecircumstances；andwastoldthatImightreferthecreditorsIcouldnotpay，toMrNorton，andsotakethechanceofitsbeingdecidedthathewasliable，upontheirsuinghim。Iwasextremelylothandunwillingtodoanything。Ididnotbelievethatthedeedcouldbeprovednull；or，ifitcould，thatMrNortonwouldbravetheshameofpubliclyassertinghisownsignature，settoaninstrumentdrawnupbyalawyer，underhisowndirections，tobeworthless。Agentleman，abarrister，amagistrate：
Idecidedinmyownmindthatitwasimpossible：thatitwasanemptythreat，toinducemetosharethelegacywithhim。IthoughtIwouldgivehimtime。Iwasanxiousaboutmysecondson，whohadhithertobeenrobust，butwhohadbeensufferingagooddeal。IwantedtotakehimawaytojoinmyothersonatNaples：tohaveoneofthegleamsofpeaceinmyPage80
tormentedlife，whichIcanatleastenjoywiththem。I
couldnotgoaway，ifIenteredonlawsuitswithMrNorton。IthereforemerelyattemptedtodrawmyusualallowanceatMrNorton’sbankers，accordingtothecontract；wasrefused；borrowedfrommyownbankers，undermybrother’ssecurity，asumofmoneyformyjourney，——andleftEngland。
IcertainlygaveMrNortonampletimetoconsiderwhetherhewouldacthonestlyornot；Igavehimnearlyayearandahalf；fromMarch1852（whenhebalancedmyreceiptofmymother’slegacybystoppingmyallowance），tillAugust1853；whenIwascompelledtoappearintheCountyCourt。Neitherduringthattime，norsince，hashepaidonefarthing。TheLAWhasenabledhimtodefraudalikethedeadandtheliving，andmymothermightjustaswellhaveleftthemoneyunsecured，whichhethusseizesbydeduction。Eventhestatementthathewouldpayaminorsum，turnedouttobefalse；I
testedit，bygivingachequetoSirA。D。Gordonforthewholeamount，andafterwardstoMrThrupp（thecreditorwholosthiscause），forasmallproportionoftheamount；andboththosechequeswerereturnedunpaiduponmyhands。
WhenIreturnedtoEngland，IhadstillhopedandendeavouredtoavoidanypubliclawstrugglewithMrNorton。Isentforhiscousin，MrNortonofElton，andexplainedthecasetohim；desiringhimtoadviseMrNorton。Ioncemoreappealedtothewearied—outpatienceofSirFrederickThesiger。HeheardmewithmoreindulgenceperhapsthanIdeserved，consideringtheirritationunderwhichIwaslabouringatthepositionofaffairs；unabletopaywhatIowed；
frustratedinmyeffortstoassisteithermysonsormyself；anddefiedbyMrNortonastothedeedwhichIbelievedhadclosedforlifealldiscussionsbetweenmeandmyhusband。ButthoughSirFrederickheardmepatiently，hedeclinedseeingMrNorton；towhom，hesaid，hehadbecomeatotalstranger；thatitwasverylongsincehehadmethim，andthennotinsociety。Iwrote，afterthat，toMrPage81
Norton’sownsolicitor，intheforlornhopethathemightbeactingagainstadvice。IsettledthefirstactionbroughtagainstMrNortonbypromisingtopayitmyself，withallexpenses，assoonasthatshouldbepossible。Ihadbeensubpoenaedaswitness，inthatandothercases；andImustobserve，（formanypersonsmisunderstandthis），thatattendanceofsubpoenaiscompulsory，notvoluntary。MrNorton，inthesubsequentcasethatcameintocourt，subpoeedapersonwhohadbeenmymaid；subpoenaedmybankers；compelledthemtoproducetheirbooks，andsenthisattorneytomakeextractsattheirbank，ofallsumsenteredinmyprivateaccount。
Healsosubpoenaedmypublishers；tocompelthemtodeclarewhatwerethecopyrightstheyheldofme，andwhatsumstheyhadpaidme。
Itisnottobesupposedthatthesegentlemenhadanypleasureincomingforward；orvolunteeredtoupholdadefencegroundedonadisgracefulquibble。Theyattended，——asIattended，——onsubpoena；alegalsummons，thepunishmentfordisobeyingwhichisafine，orimprisonmentforcontempt。Subpoenaedagain，——inafreshaction，——mylasteffort，throughthesolicitor，wastowarnMrNortonthatIwasalreadyindebttomybanker，andcouldpaynoothercreditor。
Ireceivedforanswermerely，thathe"declinedalldiscussiononthesubject。"
Ithenmadeupmymindtobearwhatmustbeborne，andwentintocourt（asIimagined），merelytoanswerafewformalquestions，thepainofwhichconsistedinbeingobligedtoprove，thuspublicly，thatmyhusbandhadcheatedme。Iexpectedtohavetoprovethecontract；toprovehissignature；
tohearMrLeman（whowasalsosubpoenaed），provethecircumstancesunderwhichitwasdrawnout；toadmitthedebt；toshowthatIhadnofundbutthiswithheldallowancetopayitwith；andthentohearitdecided，eitherthatMrNortonwaslegallyliableorthathewasnot。Ihadtheopinionofanablesolicitorthathewouldbeheldliable。IhadtheopinionofthedistinguishedQueen’scounselwhoaccompaniedmeintocourt，thathewouldPage82
not；andIwaspreparedforthepossibilityofanadverselegaldecision：whatIwasnotpreparedfor，wasthescenethatfollowed。
Myhusbandhadresolvedhowtofightthisbattle。Heenteredthecourtattendedbycounsel。（I
believecounselhadnotbeenthoughtnecessaryontheotherside，whichwasconductedbyMrDod，SolicitortotheSocietyfortheProtectionofTrade。）WhenIfirstsawmyhusband，mycouragesank；thehorriblestrangenessofmypositionoppressedmewithangerandshame；myheartbeat；thecrowdofpeopleswambeforemyeyes；andtheanswersIhadbeguntomake，andthedeclarationsIhadintendedtostrugglethrough，chokedinmythroat，whichfeltasifitwerefullofdust。ItwouldhavebeenwellforMrNorton，ifhehadnottheneagerlyseizedanimaginaryadvantage。Herose，gathereduphispapers，andsayingwithasneer——"Whatdoesthewitnesssay？Letherspeakup；Icannothearher；"hecameandseatedhimselfclosetome；
therewasonlytheskirtingboardthatdividedthecourt，betweenus。THE
WITNESSheardHIM。Thatwhichhedidstillfurthertoabashandintimidateme，hadpreciselythecontraryeffect。IsawtheglareoftheangryeyesIrememberedlongagoinmyownhome；thesneeroftriumph，anddeterminationtocrushmeatallhazards。Ifelt，asIlookedforaninstanttowardshim，thathesawinmeneitherawomantobesparedpublicinsult，noramothertobesparedshamefulsorrow，——butsimplyaclaimanttobenon—suited；acreditortobeevaded；apecuniaryincumbrancehewasdeterminedtoberidof。Morethanoneoftheprofessionalgentlemenpresent，appealedtotheJudgewhetherheshouldbe"permitted，"tositwherehehadplacedhimself；buttherehecontinuedtosit；instructinghiscounselinanundertonewhatquestionstoputtome，——makingwrittennotesonthecase，——andoccasionallyperemptorilyaddressingmehimself。Inmyheart，scornanddesperationtooktheplaceoffear。Thecasewasaclaimfor47l。，forrepairsofalittlecarriageinuseforPage83
twelveyears。Iwasexamined；andbeganbystatingthatIhadalreadystoppedonecaseagainstmyhusbandatmyownexpence；thatIappearedincourtagainstmywill，subpoenaedbythecreditor，whoseaccountIhadpaidinpart，andwouldhavepaidentirely，ifMrNortonhadnotstoppedmyallowance。MrNorton’scounsel，MrNeedham，endeavouredtopreventthisstatement。Hethencross—examinedme，assistedbyMrNorton；apparentlytotryandprovethatIwasextravagant。IwasquestionedhowmanyservantsIkept；whethertheywereofanexpensiveclass；whetherIeverventuredtoaskmyfriendstodinner；andwhatIneedlesslyspentontheeducationofapoororphangirl，confidedtomycarebytheclergymanofherparish（brother—in—lawtotheministerofthechapelMrNortonandIattendedinWestminster）。ThischarityseemedespeciallytoirritateMrNorton。
Iwascross—examinedaboutit，withthemostsneeringseverity；itseemedasifIcouldhavenorighteithertothepleasuresofhospitality，——ortheluxuryofdoinggood；butthateveryfarthingnotabsolutelynecessarytoputamealintomyownmouth，oughttohavebeensavedupandmadeoverasafreegifttothehusbandwhohadblightedmywholeexistence。InvainIassuredMrNeedhamthattheorphanwasgoingouttoservice，andthatteachinghertowriteandread，hadnotbeenexpensive：acharitywhichdidnotcomeoutofthepoor’s—boxinthemagistrate’scourt，wasincomprehensibletoMrNorton；andindaringtoperformit，Ihadwrongedandrobbedhim。Itneverseemedtooccur，eithertoMrNortonorMrNeedham，thatwhateverIhadexpended，wasminetoexpend；thatIdidnotoweapennyIcouldnothavepaid，butformyhusband’sdishonesty；thatwhethermymoneywasdisbursedforcharity，——orhospitality，——orevenluxury，（iftheycouldhaveprovedsuchathing），——insteadofbeingprincipallyexpendedintravellingwithandinvalidson；andwhetheritwastheresultoflegacies，orliteraryindustry；itwasmyowncurrentincome；500l。ayearofwhich，beingseizedbyMrPage84
Norton，alonecreatedformeanydifficulty。Itneverseemedtooccurtothem，thatthequestionwasnotwhethermyhusbandshouldprovideforme；butwhetherheshouldcheatmeofacovenanteddebt，onthequibblethathecouldnotcontractwithhisWIFE。ThatifhehadcontractedtopaythismoneytotheDukeofBedford，——insteadoftome，——hecouldnothavedisputedthedebtonthegroundthattheDukewasalreadysowelloff，thatitwasunnecessarytopayhim；evenonproofofallthelargehospitalitiesofWoburn。Asamatterofjustice，thegroundtakenwassimplyridiculous；andperhapstheyfeltittobeso；for，aftervainlyarguingthatIoughttohavespentless，（andsomadeasortofnest—eggandprovisionagainsttheeventofmybeingdefrauded）；thatgroundwasshifted，andthesourcesofmyincomeexaminedinto。MrNorton，wholeftme，whenwefirstparted，withoutanyprovisionatallfortwoyears，——whohadinsisted，atthetimeofourcontract，onaretrospectiveadvantageforhimself，throughthewholeperiodofourseparation，——andwhostillholdspropertyofmine，whichnorefereecouldpersuadehimtogiveback；——took，notanaverageofthepast，butsuchselectedyearsashepleasedfromthebanker’sbooks，addingin（asincome）themoney，stillunpaid，whichIhadborrowedofthem；whileMrNeedham，notbeingfamiliarperhapswiththelines，——
"Lietonido——escadolce——auracorteseBramanoicigni；enonsivainParnasoConlecuremordaci；"ornotbeingofthepoet’sopinionastothefateof——
"ChipursempreColsuodestingarrisceecoldisagio——"bravelyadded，thatImustmakeatleast500l。ayearbymywritings！
AllthisIcouldhaveborne；
andalmostsmiledatit；falseandfoolishasitwas；andwideoftherealquestion，whetherMrNortonshouldbreakhiswrittenbondornot。ButI
wasnotsotobereleased。"ThechildrenofdarknessarewiserintheirPage85
generationthanthechildrenoflight；"andthosewhohadtodefendfraud，feltthatsoitwouldbebutill—defended；andthattheclearlightwouldfallonagrossbreachoffaith。MrNortonhashadmorethanhalfacentury’sexperienceofthisworld；andheknewbetterhowtoevadeitsjudgment。HeknewwhattheintroductionandrevivaloftheoldscandalsaboutLordMelbourne，wouldbeworthinsuchacase。Heknewhowinstantlyattentionwouldbecalledofftherealquestionofourcontract，toanimateddisputeswhethertheverdictgiveninthatmemorabletrialhadorhadnotbeenajustone；whetherIwasorwasnotawanton；whetherIhadorhadnotdonewellinacceptinganylegacyfromthedefendantinthataction。
Heknewwhatcloudsofdustwouldrisewiththatoldstory，toconfusetheeyesthatmightotherwiseseeclearly；andhe，——whoseownincomeconsistedof：——
1。AplaceofathousandayeargivenbyLORDMELBOURNE：——2。AnEstateinYorkshirelefthimbythewomanwhoseseizureofmychildrencausedourlastquarrel：——3。TheTrust—fundfromwhichhehadborrowed，bymeansofmysignaturetotheverycontractdisputedincourt：——4。Theportionbequeathedmebymyfather：——5。TheRecordershipofGuildford；asalaryforsittinginjudgmentonothermen：——（！）
HecameforwardinCourt，toaffectascrupulousdelicacy，——thatthewifeonwhomhehadclosedthedoorofherhome"withthechainacross："——whomhehadprosecutedfordivorceandthenwooedtoreturntohim：——whomhehimselfhadendeavouredtomakethewifeofLordMelbourne，bycriminatingevidencetotallyunfitforbelief；——shouldacceptassistancefromthatdeadfriend’sfamily，tohalftheamounthehimselfstilldrew，fromtheplaceLordMelbournehadgivenhim！
Greaterhypocrisythanthepretence，surelyneverexisted：andagreaterfalsehoodthanthatbywhichthepretencewassupported，certainlyneverwastold；forMrNortoncoollyas—Page86
sertedthatheneverwouldhavemadetheallowanceinthecontract，ifIhadnot"givenhimthemostsolemnassurancethatIwouldreceivenothingfromLordMelbourne。"
Imadeabriefemphaticanswer，tothisdeliberatemisrepresentation。Isaid：——
"IstandhereonmyOATH，——
andIsaythatthatisfalse。"Foramoment，Iwasbitterlytemptedtoaddthesefurtherwords："WillMrNortonalsoconsenttobeSWORN？"
ButIrefrained。IappealedtoMrLeman’stestimony，whoseevidencewastakenonoathaswitnessinthecase，——andwhoaccordinglydeposedthatnosuchstipulationeverwasmade；andthathehimselfhaddrawnupthecontractwithallitsconditions，atMrNorton’sownrequest。MrLemanadded，——withmuchemphasisandfeeling——thatthough，legally，heconsideredtheagreementmightnotstand，hecertainlyexpecteditwouldhaveboundMrNorton，"asamanofhonour。"
FromthemomentthequestioningbeganaboutLordMelbourne，Ilostallself—possession。NotbecauseIwasashamedofhavingacceptedhisbequest；ifIhadthoughttherewasshameinit，Ishouldnothavetakenit：——butbecauseIthensawallthecruelbasenessofMrNorton’sintention。Allflasheduponmeatonce。IfeltthatInolongerstoodinthatCourttostruggleforanincome，——buttostruggleagainstinfamy。Iknewbysuddeninstinct，thatthehusbandwhohadsooften，tomeandtoothers，assertedthatthetrialwastheworkof"Advisors"wasnowabouttopretendhebelievedthechargebroughtagainstLordMelbournein1836。Thewildexasperationcameoverme，whichseemedsoinexplicabletothosewhodidnotknowourrealstory。He，whohadfalselyaccusedmelongago，——hewhohadtakenmyyoungchildren，andletoneofthemdiewithoutevensendingforme，tilltoolate，——hewhohadembitteredandcloudedmywholeexistence，——whowasnowinmypresenceonlytocheatme，——（asIhadforetoldhewoulddo），——hewasoncemoregoingtobrandmebeforetheworld！Ifeltgiddy；thefacesofthepeoplegrewindis—Page87
tinct；mysentencesbecameaconfusedalternationofangryloudness，andhuskyattemptstospeak。Isawnothing——butthehusbandofwhosemercenarynatureLordMelbournehimselfhadwarnedmeIjudgedtooleniently；nothingbutTHEGNOME，——proceedingagaintodigaway，forthesakeofmoney，whatremnantofpeace，happiness，andreputation，mighthaverestedinthefutureyearsofmylife。Turningup，ashedug，——deadsorrows，andburiedshames，andmiserablerecollections，——andcarelesswhowashurtbythem，solongasheevadedpaymentofadisputedannuity，andstampedhisownsignature，worthless。
Itried，atfirstconfusedlyenough（asthebrokensentencesinthereportsshowed），butafterwardsasconnectedlyasIcould，toexplainthatLordMelbournehadleftmenothinginhiswill；thatIbelievedhecouldnot，hispropertybeingstrictlyentailed；thatIhadneverbeenhismistress；thatIwasyoungenough，tobehisdaughter，andthathenevertreatedmeotherwisethanasafriend：
thatthetrialof1836wasbasedonafalseaccusation；andthatLordMelbournehadgivenhiswordofhonourwhenliving，tothateffect：that，dying，hehadleftnothingbutalettersolemnlyrepeatingthatdenial；recommendingmetothegenerosityofhisbrother，andstatingtheamountofprovisionhewishedmadeforme：thathisbrotherandhissisterhadabidedby，andfulfilledhisintentions，becausehismemorywasdeartothem；andnonebutmyhusbandhadeveraccusedhimofbaseness。ThatIreceivedwhathehadwishedmetoreceive，butthatIheldnolegalsecuritytoobligeanyonetopayit；"notevensuchasecurityasthecontractMrNortonhadmockedmewith；drawnupbyalawyerandsignedbythatlawyerandmyhusband："thatLordMelbournehadreliedonhisfamilyshowingmethiskindnessafterhewasgone，onaccountofthedisgraceandmiseryIhadmostunjustlyenduredinhisname；andthattheyhaddoneso。Andcertainly（ifImayaddtotheacknowledgmentofPage88
thatkindness，oneselfishcomment），Ithinkneverwomanhadfairerclaimonkindness；forifithadnotbeenfortheschemetooustLordMelbourneasMinister，myquarrelwithmyhusbandwouldhavebeenarranged，——asotherdisputeshadbeen；MrNortonhavingalreadyownedtoSirJamesGraham，thathewasready，conditionally，toretractwhathehadsaidagainstme。
AndifithadnotbeenforLordMelbourne’spositionafterwards，asMinister，——andaboveall，theembarrassmentofhisbeingMinistertoayoungQueen，atthetimewhenIwasmosteagertoinstitutesomesuitagainstMrNortonthatmighthaveleadtomypublicjustification，——Icouldlongagohavemademyhusband’sweaponsofslanderrecoiluponhimself，asIdothisday；andthetrialof1836wouldhavereceivedthatexplanationwhichevennowIhavegivenwithinthelimitsofacertaindiscretion。LordMelbournerepeatedlythankedme，fornotmovinginthismatter；andforhim，andforhisinterests，IboremuchwhichIcertainlyneednothaveborne。
WhenMrNorton’scounselhadreceivedanswerstothequestionsheput，relativetothesupposedbequest，hepaused；andthenproceededtocross—examineme，asthoughhebelievedIhadperjuredmyself。Thisgentleman’smannerofquestioning，wassoinsolentandoffensive，thatatonetimeMrHaywardappealedtotheJudgeonmybehalf；andIwasobligedtoremindhimthatIwasansweringhim"uponoath。"HeinsistedthattherehadbeensomestipulationwithMrNortonaboutthismoney。Heendeavouredtoshow（inspiteofmydenials），thatitwassecured，andwasalegacy。Hesaid，——asiftoconfoundmebyproof，——"YoureceivedacertainsuminJanuaryandanequalsuminJuly。DoyounotknowthatthedifferencebetweenthesetwosumsandtheincomeLordMelbourneleftyou，ismadeupbytheLegacyDuty？"IsaidIdidnotknowwhatthedifferencewasmadeupby；allI
knewwas，thatthepaymentdependedonthepleasure（orthecharityifhepleased）ofLadyPalmerston；andnotonlegalsecurities。MrLemanthenexplainedthatthedifferencePage89
wasmadeupbytheIncomeTax。InproportionasMrNeedhamwasbaffledinwhathehadintendedtoprove，hebecameirritatedanduncivil：
hesaidtomeinsomanywords，speakingofMrNorton，——"Youknowyouranawayfromhim；"and，atanothertime，"ItisnotHISfaultyoustandinthedegradedpositionyoudo。"Anditwasagainsttheinsultofthisphrase，thatMrHaywardrose，andappealed。ThefeelinginCourtbegantoshowitselfinastrongandobvioussympathyforme；andthecasebecamemorelikeavehementdebate，thanajudicialinquiry。MrNeedhamlosteventheformandpretenceofadheringtothesubjectbeforetheCourt（i。e。thedebtandcontract）；andputquestionafterquestionaboutLordMelbourne；
whathadbecomeofhisletters；whathadoccurredwithrespecttohimin1836？WhetherIhadgotmymaid’shusband，apoliceushershipthroughLordMelbourne，（asifthatwasawrong）；andwhenIsaid"No，"againadoptedthemannerofdisbelievingmyreply。Inutterexasperation，Ialludedtothecircumstancesoftheattempteddivorce；totheletterssignedGreenacre，&；c。andsaid——"IfMrNortonthoughtmeunfaithfultohim，whydidhewriteandadjuremetoreturn？"MrNeedhamreplied，——"Prayconfineyourselftomyquestions；"andIretorted，"Itoldyoutobewareofyourquestionsifyouwereafraidofmyanswers：forseventeenyearsIhaveconcealedthesematters，andYOUforcetheirrevelationthisday。"
Ithenadded，thatitwasquiteunnecessarytocontinuethedebateaboutmymeans；thatnowthatIknewthecontractcouldbedisputed，andIandmycreditorsdefrauded，Ishouldalterthescaleofmyexpensestoanarrowereconomy：MrDodexaminedme，toshowthattheannuityfrommymother，wastherealoccasionofMrNorton’sbreachofcontract：MrLemanwasexaminedtoprovethattherehadbeennoconditionwhatever，respectingLordMelbourne，eitherwrittenorverbal：andtheJudgedecided（notonthevalidityofthecontract，butonthepointthattheallowancehadnotbeenstoppedwhenthisparticulardebtwasincurred），thatthePage90
creditorshouldbenon—suited。MrNortonthenvehementlyaddressedme——theJudge——thereportersforthepress：——hesaidIhadtoldthegrossestfalsehoods（Ihavingbeenexaminedonoath）：thatheonlyregrettedhehadnoopportunityatpresent——thathehopedatsomefutureopportunity，to"givethecontradictionthatfromhisheartandsoulhecouldgive。"
Hemovedstillnearertome；clenchedhishand，andspokeinathreateningmanner；butthegroaning，andutterconfusioninCourt，madeitdifficultevenformetogatherexactlywhathisthreatswere，exceptthattheyhadreferencetothehopeofsomefreshoccasionfordebate。TheJudgeorderedtheCourttobecleared，andthenextcausecalledon：andsoendedthisdisgracefulscene。
InMrNorton’smemorablelettertothe’Times’（whichIshallpresentlygive），hesneersattheevidenceofmydistressandagitationthatday，asapieceof’acting。’
Havinghimselfexperiencednotouchofpity，tenderness，orhonourablesenseofdegradation，——thereversewasamysteryhecouldnotsolve。Itcouldonlybeacting。Whatwastheretofeelanydistressabout？What？
Inthesuddenechooftheshame—struckandgrievingdaysofthetrial，longago，（whenatleastlifelaybeforeme）；andintheconsciousnessthatIhad，asIhavesaid，nosecondyouthtowearawayinasortofstrugglinghope；butthatallwasnowoverforever。Inthememoryofthefrankfriend，whoseattempttoaidmewasmadethevilepretenceofthisdispute：whowasdead；whocouldnolongergivehiswordofhonourinmydefence，norlistenpatientlytomycomplaining，andspeakcheerfulpropheciesofmy"livingdown"slander。
Intherecollectionsknittedwiththetimeofhisdeath：thevoyagetoLisbon：thelonesomeresidencethere，awayfromallfriends：therefusalofmyhusband，evenwhenIwasreturningwithasonpronounceddyingbythePortuguesephysicians，tobearhisshareinanyunusualexpense，——topayhispassagehome，orPage91
eventorefundatriflingdebtborrowedoftheBritishMinister。
Whatwasthereinallthis？andyetthiswasthetimewhenLordMelbourne’sbrotherplacedthatlegacytomyaccount！trulyIwasnotthinkingthenofproudandfastidiousscruples：Iwasthinkingwhereweshouldhavetogonext：toMadeira，ortheCapeofGoodHope；toseemysondiewheremyfatherhaddied。Ihadalreadylostmyuncle，whowasgeneroustome，andwithwhomIhadfoundahomeafterthetrial：theliterarytasksonwhichsomuchstresswaslaidbyMrNorton’scounsel，wereutterlysuspended：
andIwassimplyglad，——（letthosesneeratitwhoplease）——thatwithsuchahusband，andsuchadestinyofnever—endingtroubles，thefamilyofthemaninwhosenameIhadsufferedsomuch，werewillingtoprove，notformysakebutforhis，thathiskindnesstomeoutlivedhim。
Intheconsciousness，then，ofbeingmadeoncemoreasubjectofhatefulannoyancetothatfamily；
towhomIwouldfainhavebeenwelcome；andespeciallyofpaintoLordMelbourne’ssister，whoattheverytimeMrNortonwasbandyingquestionsaboutherfulfillmentofhisprivatelyexpressedwishes，——andmakingheradherencetothemathemeforpublicscandal，——wasindeepmourningforthelastofherthreebrothers。
Andamoretender，affectionate，anddevoted，sisterandfriend，Iverilybelievenobrotherseverhad。
InmeetingthehusbandfromwhomIwasseparated，asaFOE，——inopenCourt；hehimselfabarrister，——instructingcounselbeforemyface，howbesttoattackme；Ihavingnocounsel，andneverhavingstoodinaCourtofJusticebefore。Inhearingmyhusbandhootedandgroanedatbythecrowd，whenthecasewasexplained：inhearinghisassertionrespectinghisbreachofcontract，provedfalse，byevidencetenderedonoath；inhearingthesolicitortomytrusteestellhim，——amagistrate，apeer’sbrother，——thefatherofmysons，——thatitwasexpectedthesignedcontractwouldhaveboundhim"asamanofhonour；"or，inotherwords，thathewasPage92
notamanofhonour；andseeinghimshrinksilently，unabletorepelthisinsult。Inthestinging，maddeningthought，ofwhatthereportofthatmorning’sunexpectedfloodofslanderwouldbetomySONS；
whosefirstinformationofitwouldprobablybe（asindeeditwas），fromtheEnglishnewspapers；theybeingthenatNaples：——andintheknowledgeofwhatitmustbetoallmyownfamily，whohadupheldmesoearnestlythroughpreviousdefamationandsorrow：——
Intheregret（toolateregret！）thatIhadnotborrowedmoneyfromanyfriendwhowouldlendit，topaymycreditors；andallowedMrNortontoseizeallhecoveted；insteadofbelievingthatthefearofexposurewouldpreventhisdisputingthecontract（asitpreventedhisdisputingmypetitionundertheInfantCustodyBill），andthatattheeleventhhourhewoulddecentlypaywhatasa’ManofHonour’hewasboundtopay——sothatIshouldnothavetocomeintoCourtatall：
Inthegrating，hopelessknowledge，thateveryfractionofallhehadeversaidinhismoodsofdesireforreconciliation，wasfalseastherest：andthattherehesatewhohadwrittenmesuchcaressingletters，——makingnotesofaccusation，andrepeating，——forthesakeofmoney，——slandershehadsolemnlydeclaredhedidnotbelieve，sixteenyearsbefore：——
Inthehorriblegulfofdifference，betweenreadingtheevidenceofadrunkengroom，inthosevanishedmiserabletimes，andinhearingmyownhusbandnowechothatgroom’svoice；——seeinghimcower，likethatgroom，beforetheproofoftruth，andthejeersofthecrowd；——knowingheyethoped，likethatgroom，thathisslanderwouldbestrongerthanmystruggleagainstit：
Inthebitterthought，thatImight——（thedestinyisnotsorareamongwomen）Imighthavebeenmarriedtosomeonewiththeheartofaman，andthemindofagentleman，whowouldhavelovedandshelteredme；——orevenifhehadquarrelledwithme，wouldhavemadewarfareDECENT；——insteadPage93
ofstanding，asIdidthatday，shamedandslanderedbymyhusbandinperson，——beforeawondering，curiouscrowd，——whonodoubt，manyofthem，blessedHeaventhattheirhumblerhomesweremore"respectable"
thanthatofthisLord’sbrotherandhisinsultedwife：
Intheinsolenceofthecross—examiningcounsel；accustomedasIhaveeverbeentoamostindulgentandhigh—bredcourtesy，frommenimmeasurablyMrNeedham’ssuperiors；andtoinsultfromnone；exceptfromthosewhohavebeenfee’dforthetaskbythehusbandwhosworeatGod’saltarto"protectme："
Inallthis，whatwastheretoexcite，——togrieve，——torenderdesperate，——towringtheheart，andbewilderthebrain？
Nothing。ItcouldonlybeACTING。
SoMrNortonaffirmed。WhetherhiscounselalsowasofthatopinionIdonotknow；butitisimpossibleformetoquitthispartofmysubjectwithoutmakingsomebriefcommentsonwhatistermed"thelicenseoftheBar。"
Inthissameyearof1853，muchscandalwasexcited，byacaseinwhichabarristerhavingtodefendamanforburglariouslyenteringahousebynight，suggestedinbehalfoftheburglar，thathemight"perhaps"havehadaloveappointmentwiththeladyofthehouse！Thisextraordinaryinsultbeingcomplainedof，thebarristerpleaded"licenseoftheBar。"MrNeedhamcopiedthisgentleman’sfashionofdefence；andlabouredhardtoproveitwassomehowmyfaultandmyshame，thatIhadbeencheated。Whenthecasewasover，hetenderedmeasortofapology，saying，that"howeverimpertinentImightconsiderhisquestions，theywerewithinthelimitofhislegalinstructions。"
ThoseinstructionsproceedingfromMrNorton，Iamwillingtobelievethetruthofthisassertion：butIwillventuretotellMrNeedham，thatalawyerwhohasthesoulofagentleman，doesnotconsiderhepawnsitfortheday，whenhetakeshisbarrister’sfee；orthatdonninghiswigandgown，trans—Page94
formshimintoacreaturetakenouthuntinginaleash，toletslipuponthepreyatthewillofhisemployer。Refinementofmanner，dependsuponthesocietyamanhappenstolivein；butrefinementofmind，dependsonthosehighinstinctsofhonouranddelicacywhichbelongtonoclass，buttothetruestnobilityofnature。Thehiredsoldierisboundtodrawhisswordagainstthefoe，butnomancancompelhimtomanglethewounded。
The"hiredMastersoftheTongue—fence；"——asMiltoncallslawyers，——shoulddotheirtrademorenobly。Idependedthatday，astothelegaldecision，onalegalquibble：butforthemannerinwhichthatquibblewassustained，IdependedonthecourtesyoftheEnglishBar，inthepersonofwhoeverrepresenteditforthehour。Iholdtherefore，thatMrNeedhaminsulted，notme，buthisbrethrenofthebar，andthebrilliantprofessiontowhichhebelongs，——（aprofessionwhichhasproducedmoredistinguishedmenthananyotherinEngland，）——when，byhislameapology，heimpliedthatwhilehepleadedasalawyer，hewasobligedtoforgethewasagentleman。
Aftertheproceedingswereended，andwhenwewerediscussingtheextraordinarydefencefalselysetup，itwassuggestedtome，thatthecomparativedatesofLordMelbourne’sdeath，andthedrawingupofthecontract，wouldproveatoncetheimpossibilityofwhatMrNortonhadasserted。IregrettedthatIhadnothadthosedatesinCourt；andafterreadingtheevidencenextmorning，Iaddressedthefollowinglettertothepapers：——
TotheEditor。
Sir，——Iaskyourpatienceforthisletter，inconsequenceoftheunexpectedfalsehoodbywhichMrNortonyesterdayupheldhisnon—liabilitytomycreditors，intheCountyCourt。MrNortontheredeclaredthathisstipulationwithmewasthathePage95
shouldbeliableonly"IfIreceivednoaidfromthelateLordMelbourne’sfamily。"
Thesolicitorwhodrewuptheagreement，contradictedhimonoath——onoathhestatedthattherewasnosuchstipulation。
Icontradicthimonfacts，whicharestrongerthanoaths。OuragreementwassignedinSeptember，1848，andLordMelbournewasthenstillalive；thereforeitisimpossiblethatanystipulationshouldhavebeenmadeastohissupposedbequests。Tosavehimselffromthepaymentof500l。ayear——duetomycreditorsonaformalcovenant——MrNortonhasutteredthisfalsehood；andrakedup，fromtheashesofthepast，anoldrefutedslander，onwhichfortwohoursyesterdayhehimselfinperson，andthecounselheemployed，examinedandcross—examinedme，ontopicswhichhadnothingtodowiththecase，butwhichweretoimplydegradationandshame！
Onceforall，IdidnotpartfrommyhusbandonLordMelbourne’saccount；norhadLordMelbourneanythingwhatevertodowithourquarrel。IpartedfromMrNortonbecauseIpersistedinanintentiontotakemychildrentomybrother’shouse，wheremyhusband，onaccountofhisownconduct，wasnotreceived。Myhusbandsentmychildrentoawomanwithwhomhewasintimate，andwhohassincelefthimanestateinYorkshire，andweseparateduponthat。Ihadnoothergroundofdisputewithmyhusband。TheslandersrespectingLordMelbournewereanafterthought。
Soitwasyesterday。MrNortondidnotmakeanysuchstipulationwithmeashesayshedid。TherewasthennoquestionofbequestsfromLordMelbourne——forLordMelbournewasnotdead。MrNortonbrokehiscovenant，accordingtohisownletter，becausemymotherleftmeanannuity。HeintroducedLordMelbourne’snameyesterdaytopainandinsultme，andalsotodrawoffpublicattentionfromthefactofthepositivefraudcommittedonmycreditorsbyhiswithholdingthesumduetothem。TheyearaftertheactionagainstLordMelbourne，hePage96
besoughtmyreturnhome，andmyforgiveness，inthemostendearingterms。HethrewtheblameofthetrialonLordGrantley，LordWynford，andthepoliticalpartytowhichtheybelonged。Ifhebelievedtheslander，hewasbasetowritecaressingletterstopersuademetoreturntohim；
if（asisthefact）hedidnotbelievethatslander，heisdoublybasetoinvokethenameofthedeadagainstthemotherofhisgrown—upsons，inapubliccourt，bywayofexcusinghisviolationofasolemncovenant。
Allthis，thoughitislifeanddeathtome，maynotinterestthepublic。Butwhatdoesinterestthepublicisthestateofthelaw。Bythelawasitstands，ifMrNortoncanevadehiscovenant（ashedoes，bystatingthatitisnullbecauseitwasacontractwithme，and"amancannotcontractwithhisownwife"）hecandefraudthecreditor；forifacreditorsuesme，Ihaveonlytoplead’coverture’
（pleadthatIamamarriedwoman），andthecreditorwhocouldnotrecoveragainstMrNortonisequallyunabletorecoveragainstme。BetweenthefactsthatbecauseIamMrNorton’swifehecancheatme，andbecauseI
amMrNorton’swifeIcancheatothers，thetradesmenwhohavesuppliedmewould（bythelawofEngland）utterlylosetheirmoney。*
Thisdoesinterestthepublic，andisastateofthelawwhichcertainlyrequiresamending。Thecaseyesterdaywastechnicallydecidedonthispoint，viz。，thatatthetimethisparticularbillwasincurred，theallowancehadnotbeenstopped。ThevalidityofthecovenantMrNortonisattemptingtobreakwasnotcalledinquestion：anditdoesinterestthepublicandthebar——whetheritcanbecalledinquestion——whether，ifnotaAcaseinpointhasbeenlatelydecided；January21，1854，intheCourtofExchequer。Amarriedwoman，representingherselftobesingle，executedapromissorynoteforoneBrassey，andtherebyinducedtheLiverpoolAdelphiLoanAssociationtolendhim30l。ItwasruledbytheChiefBaron，thatasamarriedwomancouldnotbindherselfbyacontract，noactioncouldlieagainsther，orherhusband，forthebreachofsuchcontract；
norcouldshe，orherhusband，besuedforthefraudontheassociation。
Howarethelenderstorecovertheirmoney？Page97
contractwithme，itisnotacontractwithmycreditors——awrittenandstampedagreementwiththem，madebyamagistrateandbarrister；because，asIhavestated，ifitisnotavalidcontract，thecreditormaybeutterlycheatedofhismoney——if（whichGodforbid！），copyingtheexampleofMrNorton，Ialsoshouldflingoff，byaquibbleofthelaw，mypersonalliability。
MrNorton，afterapauseofadayortwo，publishedan’answer’ofextraordinarylength；premisingespecially，thathedidso——lessinhisprivate，thaninhispubliccapacity；
（hisprivatecharacterbeing"safeinthehandsofthosewhoknewhim。"）
Thatitwas，inshort，asthepersonappointed，——byLordMelbourne，——totheMetropolitanMagistracy，thatheproceededtoaccuseLordMelbourne（nowdead，andunabletocontradicthim）ofeverydegreeofturpitude；
fromtheseductionofhiswife，totheappointingofaTreasuryMessenger"asareward"fortreacherouslypurloininghisowncompromisingandinculpatinglettersfromMrNorton’shouse。
ButIwillpermitMrNortontospeakforhimself；andgivehisletter，ashepublishedit。Hesays，then：——
ItisasaMAGISTRATE，——anAdministratorofJustice（accordingtomyability），thatIcomeforwardinthepresentmatterwithaplainstatementoffacts，toprovethatI
havestriventobeasjustinmyprivateaffairsasismyaimanddesiretobeinmypubliccapacity！ItiswithpainthatIfeelmyselfcompelledtobreakthatsilencewhichtheforbearanceofseventeenlongyearshasmadehabitualtome；butIfeelImustnowspeakout，andthatitwouldbetreasontomycharacterandfairfametoleavealltheseaccusationsunanswered。IwassubpoenaedonThursdaylastbytheMessrsThrupp，andwhenMrsNortonhadconcludedherevidence，Ibeggedtheirsolicitortocallmeasawitness。Herefusedmethatfavour，and，astheadvocateofmyopponent，Icannotquarrelwithhisdiscretion；andperhapsitwasbetterthattheopportunitywasnotaffordedme，forinthedistractionofthemomentImighthavebeenPage98
temptedtorevealmatterswithwhich，forthehappinessofothers，itismuchbetterthepublicshouldremainunacquainted。Mycounselwasrefusedevenbystatementtocontradictthegrossfalsehoodswhichhadbeenmostillegallyandimproperlyintroducedintothecase。Thequestionwasoneofliability，andthemomentthatMrsNortonadmittedshewaslivingapartfrommebyherownwish（andwhichshedidsoadmitatthebeginningofherexamination），therewasanendofthecase，andallproceedingsshouldhaveterminated。Unhappily，thejudgeandeveryoneengagedfororagainstherinthecauseseemedoverpoweredbyMrsNorton’sdemeanour，andthosewhohadaturnforthedrama（ofwhom，unfortunately，myownsolicitorwasone），weresuspendedinbreathless，helplessinaction。Nonewhowitnessedthatscenecanforgetittotheirlives’end——allmustrememberitasthemostsplendidpieceofACTINGeverexhibited；howevermuchthesobermindofEnglandmustrevoltagainstthedisgraceofacourtofjusticebeingturnedintothestageofDrury—lane。
Mydenialsshallbeasfewaspossibleandasbrief。
First。Theagreement，orratherthememorandum，of1848wasnotabindingone。MrsNortonknewthisaswellasIdid——atleast，herownsolicitortoldmeitwasnotatthetimewesignedit；moreover，shedidthentrytomakethecontemplatedarrangementbetweenusabindingdocument，byfindingtrustees，butfailedtodoso，asnotoneofherrelationsorfriendswouldbecomehersurety。
OneofMrsNorton’sstipulationsinthememorandumwasnotobservedfromtheveryfirst，forconstantapplicationshavebeenmadetomysolicitorandmyselfforthepaymentofherdebts。
Nevertheless，hadourrelativecircumstancesremainedastheywerewhenweenteredintoit，Ishouldhavecontinuedtopayher500l。perannum。Shewasquitecorrectincourtwhenshesworethathernon—receptionoftheannuityfromLordMelbourneformednopartoftheconditionsuponwhichthatagreementwascometo。Ineversaiditdid。LordMelbournewasPage99
thenalive，andIhadnotangiblegroundsforthenraisingthequestion；butsomeshorttimeafterwardsIwasinformedbyaperson，whoshallbenameless，aftertheoaththatwasgivenonThursday（butIspeakfromrecollectiononly，nothavingrefreshedmymemorywiththecorrespondencewhichpassedbetweenusatthetime）thatLordMelbournehadleftasealedletterforhisbrother，statingthathe（LordMelbourne）mighthavegivenheranannuityuponthelandshehadhimselfacquired，butthathepreferredleavingittotheconvenienceofhisbrothertosecureherinanannuityof600l。perannum，orsomeothersum，andhe（thepersonalludedto）added，thatImightdependonthisinformation，ashehaditfromoneoftheexecutors。Iwassurprisedanddisgusted，andimmediatelywrotetoMrsNorton，toinquireifshedidreceivethatannuity。Heranswerwasemphaticallyinthenegative，andatthatperiodshespokethetruth；forIafterwardswasinformedthatadifferencehadarisenbetweenherselfandtherepresentativesofLordMelbourneastogivinguphisletters，andwhichletters，Iwasinformed，itwasinsistedshouldbegivenupbeforetheannuitywasgranted。
Ithinkitwasnotuntilthecloseof1851orin1852thatIwasinformedthatshecertainlydidreceivetheannuity，whenIagainrequiredherwrittendenialofthefact。
SheansweredbysayingthatIinsultedherbyrepeatingthequestion；butnotbeingquitesatisfiedwiththereply，IrequestedmysonFletchertospeaktoheronthesubject，andassureherthatnoinsultwasintendedbythequestion，andthatIinsistedonanexplicitanswertoit。
ShethendidexplicitlyassuremysonthatshereceivednoannuityofanykindfromLordMelbourne，andFletcheradded，fromhimself，thathewasfullypersuaded，fromhermannerandwords，asthetruthofherassertion。Thismusthavebeenin1852，orinthisveryyear。Judgethen，ofmySURPRISE，whenmysolicitorascertained，ONLYTWOORTHREEWEEKSAGO，thatshehadbeeninthereceiptofthatannuityeversince1849！Iwasnotpermittedatthetrialtoenterintoanyexpla—Page100
nationwhateveronthisoranyotherpoint，butthefewandhurriedobservationsIdidmakehadreferencetothecontinuanceofmyallowancetoheronehouraftersuchafacthasbeenclearlybroughttomyknowledge。
Theconfusionthatprevailedatthetrialrendereditimpossibleformeeventoexplainthemattertomycounsel，andhencearosethatpartofthecross—examinationwhichimpliedthatapledgehadbeengivenbeforethesigningofthememorandum。
Itistruethatin1837wecontemplatedare—union。Shehadassuredmethatshehadtakenthesacramentinattestationofherinnocenceofallcriminality；thatassuranceandothercircumstancesinducedmetobelieveherinnocentofthelastoffence；
butoftheimproprietyofherconductandtotaldisregardofoutwardappearance，bywhichalonesocietycanformitsopinion，noonewhomovedinourcirclescoulddoubt。Myownconduct，Iadmit，atthattimewasweakandvacillatingintheextreme。IhadlovedhertomadnessforthreeorfouryearsbeforeImarriedher，andafterwewereunitedshehadallpoweroverme。Butallideaofre—unionwasabruptlybrokenoffwhencertaintidingsreachedmeofhersejourintheIsleofWight。Fromthatmomentmyhonourwasoutraged，andourre—unionrenderedimpossible。Judge，then，ofmysurprisewithinthelastthreeorfouryearstoreceivehintsfromherastoourlivingagaintogether；oneoftheseIcandistinctlyremember。MysonFletcherwasseriouslyillatherhouse，andIwenttheretoseehim。IwasremarkingtohimthatIwasabouttotakeanewleaseofmyhouse，whenshesaid，"Whatnonsense，whenthere’saroomforyouhere。"Wouldanyonebelievethatin1849suchaproposalcouldhavecomefromthepersonwho，onThursdaylast，denouncedmeinthewayshedid？
Buttoreturntoourmoneydifferences。WhenwefirstseparatedIdividedmyincome——thenonly800l。or900l。perannum，intothreeportions。OneIpaidintoMessrsRansom’sforhersupport，thesecondIallottedforpaymentofourdebts，andthethirdforthethreechildrenandmyself；and，afterpay—Page101
ingtheirexpenses，Ihadnotmorethan5s。perdayformyselftoliveuponintown，havingtoattendtomypolicecourt。In1838，mycousins，MrVaughanandhissister，fulfilledtheirdeceasedmother’swishesbyleavingmetheirYorkshireestates，andIimmediatelyincreasedMrsNorton’sallowanceto400l。perannum，exclusiveofherpension。
Shedeclinedatfirstreceivingit；shepreferredfurnishinghousesanddisposingofthem，andleavingthetradesmentobringtheiractionsinthesuperiorcourts。Atleastthirtysuitswereinstitutedagainstmefordebtsofhercontracting。IntwocasesonlyweretheopinionsofJuriestaken，andinboththeverdictswereforme。*
Buttheexpenseofdefendingmyselfagainstsuchruinationwasveryheavy，andIhadtoborrow，ifIrecollect，5，000l。or6，000l。inScotlandandelsewheretomeetit。In1848itwassuggestedthatitwouldbenosavingofinteresttoborrowthatmoneyofthetrusteesoutofmypatrimony，andnoticewasgiventothebondholdersinScotlandthattheywouldbepaidatacertaintime。MrLemanpreparedthemortgagedeedforthetrusteesovermyYorkshireestates；butafterthepreparationofthemortgagehadproceedednearlytocompletion，andmuchexpenseincurredtherein，hetoldmehehaddiscoveredwhatheoughtfromthefirsttohaveknown——thatthetrusteescouldnotlendthetrust—moneywithoutthepermissionofMrsNortonandmyselfinwriting，andheinformedme，further，thatshewouldnotgiveherpermissionunlessIconsentedtogiveheranadditionof100l。toherallowance，makingit500l。insteadof400l。Iwasdrivenintoacornerbythisunexpecteddiscovery，andIhadtosubmittotheaddition。In1851，myyoungerson’sexpensesatOxfordincreasing，andmyownexpensesinYorkshirebeinggreatertokeepuptherentsinthethendepressedstateofagriculture，IlearntthatMrsNortonhadbeenleft500l。perannumbyhermother，fromwhomIwasnotawarethatshehadanySeethestrangeboastatpages135—136，oftherejectionofSirJohnBayley’sevidence，byLordAbinger，whichproducedthisresult。Page102
expectations。Ithenproposedtoherareductionofherallowance，whichshewouldnotaccedeto；and，aftershehadreceivedhermother’slegacyandforsometimeenjoyedit，Ididreduceitto300l。perannum，butwhichshehasneveraccepted。
Now，astoheraccesstothethreechildren。Myfirstideauponherleavingme，wastoplacethemwithherself，andIneverdeniedherreasonableaccesstothem；butshemadethreedifferentattemptstocarrythemoff——fromStorey’sgate，fromRyde，andfromWonersh；andsheresolutelyrefusedtoguaranteemeagainstsimilarattempts，herobjectevidentlybeingbyeverymeansandpretencetoexcitepublicsympathyonthesubjectofthechildren，andforwhichIgavehernogrounds。Iwasresponsiblefortheirmaintenanceandeducation，andIdreadedherintentionoftakingthemabroad。Ithereforeultimatelysenttomysister’s，LadyMenzies，inScotland，providingthemwithatutor；
theywerethencesenttoDrBuckland，atLaleham；thencethetwoeldestwenttoEton；andthepooryoungestdiedoflockjaw，resultingfromamerescratchontheboneofhiselbowbyafallfromhispony。HediedatKettlethorpe，myplaceinYorkshire，andthemomentthefirstsymptomsoflockjawandofdangerwerediscovered，IsentimmediatelyforMrsNorton，butshearrivednotuntilafterhehadexpired。
BothmyeldersonsstayedsomeyearsatEton，andthenFletcherwenttoLisbonasattaché；，withanoutfitthatcostmeupwardsof400l。andanallowanceof300l。perannum，whichheenjoysuptothismoment。FletcherwasillatLisbon，andMrsNortontookBrinsleyoutthere，removinghimfromEtonagainsttheadviceofMrColeridge，histutor，andmyself。IhadmuchdifficultyingettinghimbacktoEngland，whenIplacedhimwithaprivatetutor，MrHeatley，towhomIpaid200l。perannumtopreparehimforcollege。HethenwenttoUniversityCollege，Oxford，and，althoughIgavehimanoutfit，andallowedhim250l。，theutmostsumDrPlumtreadvised，andwhichsumwasafterwardsincreased，hegotintoPage103
suchdifficultiesthatheislivingabroad，andIamnowatanexpenseforhissupportandmaintenancethere。InadditiontotheseallowancesIhavesentmoneyatvarioustimestoLisbon，Germany，andItalyforthesupportofmysons。Myhousehasalwaysbeenopentoreceivethem，andtheyhavenotunfrequentlyavailedthemselvesofitasahome。DuringtheirwholelivesIhavepaidfortheirclothing，schooling，andsupport，withtheexceptionoftheirviandsatthoseperiodswhentheyhavelivedwiththeirmother，anditwasoneofmymanyastonishmentsonThursdaytohearherunblushinglystatethatallIhaddoneforthemwastopayfortheireducation。
ThehistoryoftheactionagainstLordMelbournewasshortlythis：——Ihadobservedfromthetimeoftheircloseintimacy，MrsNortonhadtakenlessinterestinourthenonlychildandinmyself。Ononeoccasion，Ihadseenherarmroundhisneck，andwhenIremonstratedwithher，shesaid，"Well，andwhatifI
hadmyMellyroundtheneck——whatwasit？"Iwasjealous，andmentionedthemattertoMrsSheridan，whoquitelulledmysuspicionsbytellingmethathehadbeenherfather’sfriend，andothercircumstances；andonthemorningofthe30thofMarch，1836，IhadnosuspicionwhateverthattheirintimacywasanythingmorethanPlatonic。OnthatmorningMrsNortonleftherhome，leavingherletter—bureau，byaccident，open，andIsawpilesofLordMelbourne’sletterslyinginit。Shenevershowedmehisletters，sayingletterswerenotmeantfortwo；andknowingherparticularityaboutherletters，withoutlookingatone，Ilockedthedooroftheroominwhichtheywere，and，givingmyservantFitnessthekey，gavehimthemostpositiveordersthatnooneshouldentertheroomuntilMrsNortonreturned，inorderthatshemightseethattheywereuntouched，andjustasshehadleftthem。Ithentookmychildrentothecountry，butthenextdaywassurprisedtoreceivealetterfromFitness，tosaythatMrCharlesSheridan，MrsNorton’sbrother，hadcomeatsixo’clockinthemorningandaskedforsomepapersoutofthebureauforapublicationMrsNortonwasthenengagedon，andthathehadpermittedhimtotakethem。
Page104
Icametotownimmediately，andfoundthatthebureauhadbeenemptiedofitscontents。Ithenforthefirsttimesuspectedsomethingwrong。Isearchedabout，andfoundasmallwriting—deskintheroomwhichhadescapedobservation。Iopenedit，andfoundthetwoorthreelettersofLordMelbournewhichwereproducedatthetrial，andoneortwolettersandpapersofamoresuspiciouscharacterwrittenbyagentlemanatEastbourne。IscoldedFitnessforhisdisobedienceoforders。HesaidhehadtoldMrCharlesSheridanofthestrictordersIhadgivenhim，butMrCharlesSheridansaidMrsNortonmusthaveherwritingsforthepublicationshewasthenengagedon，andhethenallowedhimtogointotheroomandtakethemaway。Healsoadmittedthatmoneyhadbeenpromisedtoinducehimtogiventhemup，andIwellremembermyobservation，thathehadbettergiveittoahospitalorsomecharity，foritwouldneverdohimgood。
MrCharlesSheridanwassubpoenaedatthetrialtoprovetheabstractionoftheletters，andwhyhewasnotcalledIneverknew。*
ThisveryFitnesssoonafterwardswasappointedamessengerattheTreasuryasaREWARDforhistreachery。