old mistress's request. Accordingly, she returned to Seaham Hall some
days before the wedding, was present at the ceremony, and then
preceded Lord and Lady Byron to Halnaby Hall, near Croft, in the North
Riding of Yorkshire, one of Sir Ralph Milbanke's seats, where the
newly married couple were to spend the honeymoon. Mrs. Mimms remained
with Lord and Lady Byron during the three weeks they spent at Halnaby
Hall, and then accompanied them to Seaham, where they spent the next
six weeks. It was during the latter period that she finally quitted
Lady Byron's service; but she remained in the most friendly
communication with her ladyship till the death of the latter, and for
some time was living in the neighbourhood of Lady Byron's residence in
Leicestershire, where she had frequent opportunities of seeing her
former mistress. It may be added that Lady Byron was not unmindful of
the faithful services of her friend and attendant in the instructions
to her executors contained in her will. Such was the position of Mrs.
Mimms towards Lady Byron; and we think no one will question that it
was of a nature to entitle all that Mrs. Mimms may say on the subject
of the relations of Lord and Lady Byron to the most respectful
consideration and credit.'

Such is the chronicler's account of the faithful creature whom nothing
but intense indignation and disgust at Mrs. Beecher Stowe would lead to
speak on her mistress's affairs; but Mrs. Beecher Stowe feels none the
less sincere respect for her, and is none the less obliged to her for
having spoken. Much of Mrs. Mimms's testimony will be referred to in
another place; we only extract one passage, to show that while Lord Byron
spent his time in setting afloat slanders against his wife, she spent
hers in sealing the mouths of witnesses against him.

Of the period of the honeymoon Mrs. Mimms says:--

'The happiness of Lady Byron, however, was of brief duration; even
during the short three weeks they spent at Halnaby, the irregularities
of Lord Byron occasioned her the greatest distress, and she even
contemplated returning to her father. Mrs. Mimms was her constant
companion and confidante through this painful period, and she does not
believe that her ladyship concealed a thought from her. _With
laudable reticence, the old lady absolutely refuses to disclose the
particulars of Lord Byron's misconduct at thi