WIVES OF THE PRIME MINISTERS
their acquaintance, Byron had made her promise not to waltz; but later on, at a ball given by Lady Heathcote, she said to Lady Caroline, "Come, you must begin." She replied bitterly, "Oh yes, I'm in a merry humour," and whispered to Byron, who was standing by her, "I conclude I may waltz now?" He answered sarcastically, "With everybody in turn—you always did it better than any one. I shall have a pleasure in seeing you." So she danced, and afterwards, feeling ill and fatigued, she entered a small inner room where supper was laid. Byron and some ladies happened to come in after Lady Caroline, and Byron said to her, "I have been admiring your dexterity." Infuriated by his manner, she took up a knife. Byron continued his untimely and unwise jesting, saying, "Do, my dear, but if you mean to act a Roman's part, mind which way you strike with your knife; let it be at your own heart, not at mine, for you have struck there already." She ran away, still clasping the knife, but without the slightest intention of injuring either herself or him. The ladies very naturally screamed and followed her, and in the struggle to get the knife away from her, her hand got cut and the blood went over her gown. Of course the rumour
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