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……I have been told to-day that Norton has been trying to make a bargain to give up his office in favour of a Mr for a thousand pounds[1] It is just like him. I said to the person who gave me the intelligence, 'if you find it out, stop the bargain, and stop the appointment; but say as little as possible about it—for at least half the disgrace of the transaction will fall upon me, who appointed him.' Adieu,
This, then, is the husband, who to evade a pecuniary contract, has lately subjected me to the last extreme of obloquy: these are the letters of the man he proceeded against, in an English Court of "Justice," for damages: and such are the opinions, in despite of which Mr Norton dares to revive the slur he threw upon my name in the mad vengeance of the hour,—when Sir James Graham declined his condition that if he retracted what had been said of me, we were to contradict all that was said of him. Lord Melbourne's letters are in themselves evidence that I spared Mr Norton. The man my husband accused as my lover, writes to me as to one not even thoroughly aware of that husband's mercenary nature. "You ought to know him—but you seem to be hardly aware what a gnome he is … I only knew what you told me, but it appeared to me that by living with him you had grown less alive to his real character, by being accustomed to it." … "Recollect how he behaved," &c. …
Phrases which prove, that to the last, I had spared him, to those who could serve him—and to those who could not. And if it be asked why, having spared him so long, I expose him now,—I answer that I am the judge,—not others,—where en-
- ↑ At the time it was supposed that Mr Norton would be unable, after the trial, to brave public opinion by continuing to hold the place Lord Melbourne had given him.
