"I seized the first opportunity of speaking to him, and thereby
discovered the cause of his chagrin; but, as there was no time for
expostulation, the misunderstanding continued on his side, with such
evident marks of uneasiness, that every individual of the company
made up to me, and inquired about the cause of his disorder; so
that I was fain to amuse their concern, by saying, that he had been
ill the day before, and dancing did not agree with his constitution.
So much was he incensed by this unhappy circumstance of my conduct,
which was void of all intention to offend him, that he determined
to be revenged on me for my indiscretion, and at supper, chancing
to sit between two very handsome ladies, one of whom is lately
dead, and the other, at present, my neighbour in the country, he
affected an air of gaiety, and openly coquetted with them both.
"This was not the only punishment he inflicted on his innocent
wife. In the course of our entertainment, we engaged in some
simple diversion, in consequence of which the gentlemen were ordered
to salute the ladies; when Lord W--, in performing this command,
unkindly neglected me in my turn; I had occasion for all my discretion
and pride, to conceal from the company the agonies I felt at this
mark of indifference and disrespect.
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