satisfactory, abused and struck me. My duty to your lordship
prevented any retaliation on my part; and that duty, (the offspring
of humble gratitude for your lordship's many acts of generous
kindness to me, both in this country and in France,) now impels me
to communicate these unpleasant facts--which I do, with sincere
sorrow for her ladyship's indiscretion, and every desire for the
preservation of your lordship's honor.

"'From your lordship's humble servant,
"'LOUIS LAGRANGE.'

"This letter, so characteristic of the polished, wily and educated
Frenchman, was written in the French language, with which I was well
acquainted, I therefore easily translated it. After a careful perusal,
I placed it in my pocket-book--for I was well aware that it might one
day prove a valuable auxiliary to me, should I feel disposed to inform
my master of his wife's infidelity, and his lordship then could not
doubt the truth of his own favorite and faithful servant, in whom he
had the most unbounded confidence.

"'Oh, scornful Lady Hawley and sarcastic Captain St. Clair!' I could
not forbear exclaiming--'ye shall both be caught in a net of your own
making, when ye least expect it! My lady will be turned out of doors
as an adulteress; and my gentleman will perhaps be shot through the
head by the husband he has wronged! Patience, patience, good Simpson;
thou shalt yet riot in the very satiety of thy vengeance. But now to
put in operation my first method--an ingenious one it is, too--of
avenging my wrongs!'

"Among the various wines with which the extensive cellar was
abundantly stocked, was a large cask containing a particular kind, of
a very rich and peculiar flavor; and of this wine I knew Lady Hawley,
who was a luxurious woman, very fastidious in her taste, to be
especially fond. Captain St. Clair, too, preferred it above all other
kinds; and at the midnight suppers which he so often enjoyed with her
ladyship, the ruby contents of this particular cask was most
frequently called into requisition, as I well know, for I had been
accustomed to carry it from the cellar to the door of the bed-chamber
wherein the amorous pair indulged in the joys both of Venus and of
Bacchus. The wine had been imported by his lordship, who was a _bon
vivant_, from Bordeaux and was particular