ing passed
between them.

Hamilton, who saw him as yellow as jealousy itself, and particularly
thoughtful, imagined that he had just discovered what all the world had
perceived long before; when Chesterfield, after a broken, insignificant
preamble, asked him how he succeeded with Lady Castlemaine. Hamilton,
who very well saw that he meant nothing by this question, nevertheless
thanked him; and as he was thinking of an answer: "Your cousin," said
the earl, "is extremely coquettish, and I have some reason to suppose
she is not so prudent as she ought to be." Hamilton thought the last
charge a little too severe; and as he was endeavouring to refute it:
"Good God!" said my lord, "you see, as well as the whole court, what
airs she gives herself: husbands are always the last people that are
spoken to about those affairs that concern them the most; but they are
not always the last to perceive it themselves: though you have made me
your confidant in other matters, yet I am not at all surprised you have
concealed this from me; but as I flatter myself with having some share
in your esteem, I should be sorry you should think me such a fool as to
be incapable of seeing, though I am so complaisant as not to express my
sentiments: nevertheless, I find that affairs are now carried on with
such barefaced boldness, that at length I find I shall be forced to take
some course or other. God forbid that I should act the ridiculous part
of a jealous husband: the character is odious; but then I do not intend,
through an excess of patience, to be made the jest of the town. Judge,
therefore, from what I am going to tell you, whether I ought to sit down
unconcerned, or whether I ought to take measures for the preservation of
my honour.

"His royal highness honoured me yesterday by a visit to my wife."
Hamilton started at this beginning. "Yes," continued the other, "he
did give himself that trouble, and Lord Arran took upon himself that of
bringing him: do not you wonder, that a man of his birth should act such
a part? What advancement can he expect from one who employs him in such
base services? But we have long known him to be one of the silliest
creatures in England, with his guitar, and his other whims and follies."
Chesterfield, after this short sketch of his brother-in-law's merit,
began to relate the observations he had made during the visit, and asked
Hamilton what he thought of his cousin Arran, who had so obligingly left
them together