owever, separated the very next day, the lady declaring her determination
never to see her husband's face again. This, of course, produced an ample
fund of conversation of every kind; but the lady returned to court, and
the gentleman returned to his ship, and went to sea. However, they met
again, and the result was, she became a mother. From her determination to
keep her marriage secret, she retired for her accouchement to a secluded
spot in Chelsea, where her child was born, and where it soon after died.

It may easily be supposed, that the sudden disappearance of so conspicuous
a person from the most conspicuous society, must have given rise to
rumours and ridicule of every kind. She returned to court nevertheless,
and constantly denying her marriage, fought it out with the effrontery
which is so easily forgiven, in fashionable life, to youth, wit, and
beauty.

Yet she could not quite escape the flying shafts of wit herself. One day
after her return, meeting the memorable Lord Chesterfield--"Think, my
lord," said she, with an air of indignation, "to what lengths the
scandalous chronicle will go, when it absolutely says that I have had
twins." "My dear," said Lord Chesterfield, "I make it a rule never to
believe above half what the world says."

She now received the attentions of many suitors, extraordinary as the
circumstance may be, when the mystery of her own conduct and the surmises
of the public are considered; and, to make assurance doubly sure, she
determined to extinguish all proof of her hasty marriage. Ascertaining
that the clergyman who had married her was dead, she went to Lainston
church, and contrived to carry away the entry of her marriage from the
register. Some time after this, Miss Chudleigh (for she never would take
her husband's name) married the Duke of Kingston. It was strongly asserted,
though the circumstance is so dishonourable that it can scarcely be
believed, that the silence of the real husband was purchased by the
advance of a large sum of money from the pretended one. The marriage
remained undisturbed until the death of the duke. She then came into
possession of his very large disposable property, and traveled in great
pomp to Rome; but the duke's nephew and heir, having his suspicious of the
fact excited, commenced proceedings against the duchess for bigamy. She
was tried before her peers in Westminster hall, and found guilty of the
offence, in April 1776; but by claiming the privilege o