iment passed between
you; and especially was written by her Ladyship herself: she is a
blue-stocking, and fond of writing; she used to make her griefs with her
husband the continual theme of her correspondence (as women will do). I
recollect several passages in her letters bitterly deploring her fate in
being united to one so unworthy of her.

'Surely, in the mass of billets you possess from her, there must be
enough to compromise her. Look them well over; select passages, and
threaten to do so. Write to her at first in the undoubting tone of a
lover who has every claim upon her. Then, if she is silent, remonstrate,
alluding to former promises from her; producing proofs of her former
regard for you; vowing despair, destruction, revenge, if she prove
unfaithful. Frighten her--astonish her by some daring feat, which will
let her see your indomitable resolution: you are the man to do it. Your
sword has a reputation in Europe, and you have a character for boldness;
which was the first thing that caused my Lady Lyndon to turn her eyes
upon you. Make the people talk about you at Dublin. Be as splendid, and
as brave, and as odd as possible. How I wish I were near you! You have
no imagination to invent such a character as I would make for you--but
why speak; have I not had enough of the world and its vanities?'

There was much practical good sense in this advice; which I quote,
unaccompanied with the lengthened description of his mortifications and
devotions which my uncle indulged in, finishing his letter, as usual,
with earnest prayers for my conversion to the true faith. But he
was constant to his form of worship; and I, as a man of honour and
principle, was resolute to mine; and have no doubt that the one, in this
respect, will be as acceptable as the other.

Under these directions it was, then, I wrote to Lady Lyndon, to ask on
my arrival when the most respectful of her admirers might be permitted
to intrude upon her grief? Then, as her Ladyship was silent, I demanded,
Had she forgotten old times, and one whom she had favoured with her
intimacy at a very happy period? Had Calista forgotten Eugenio? At the
same time I sent down by my servant with this letter a present of a
little sword for Lord Bullingdon, and a private note to his governor;
whose note of hand, by the way, I possessed for a sum--I forget
what--but such as the poor fellow would have been very unwilling to pay.
To this an answer came from her Ladyship's ama