de
passion_. She poured her tale into the ears of Lady CALLENDER, and
asked for sympathy and help. Lady CALLENDER promised both, and at the
self-same moment, made up her mind that she would withdraw from Mrs.
MILLETT such affection as CASANUOVA had honoured her with, and bring
him, not because she cared for him, but merely for the sport of the
thing, to her own feet. She succeeded admirably. Under the pretence
of bringing CASANUOVA and Mrs. MILLETT together (such things, you
know, have been done in good Society) she invited him constantly to
her house; she gave musical parties in his honour, she used all her
fascinations, and finally, having fooled Ariadne to the top of her
bent, she captured Theseus, and bore him off.

Mrs. MILLETT was a foolish and frivolous little woman. Rage and
despair made her a demon. She resolved on revenge, and proceeded to it
with a cool and astonishing persistency. Now I do not myself believe
that Lady CALLENDER cared two straws about CASANUOVA. What she aimed
at and enjoyed was the discomfiture of a friend. In order to obtain
it, however, she committed a fatal imprudence. She wrote some letters
which would have convinced even a French jury of her guilt. By a
master-stroke of cunning wickedness, Mrs. MILLETT gained possession of
them, and sent them to Sir CHARLES. It happened that about this time
Sir CHARLES was in a very low state of health, and his friends were
anxious about him. One afternoon, when Sir CHARLES was confined to
his bed, Lady CALLENDER was playing the piano to her Italian slave. A
message was brought to her that her husband desired to see her for a
few minutes, and she tripped gaily away, saying to CASANUOVA, "Wait
here; I shall return directly." In a quarter of an hour, however, her
maid came to tell him that her Ladyship was suffering, and begged
him to excuse her, and he departed. When the maid returned to Lady
CALLENDER, she found her lying dead on the floor of her room, with a
small phial, which had contained prussic acid, clasped tightly in her
hand.

This is what had happened: Sir CHARLES had received the letters; they
left no doubt in his mind that the wife he adored was betraying him,
and he, too, resolved on revenge. He sent for his wife. When she came
in, he at once confronted her with her letters, and taxed her with her
guilt. A terrible scene of tears, entreaties, and bitter reproaches
ensued, but Sir CHARLES was as adamant, and his wife retired to her
bedroom