easantly ever since. I long to
be near you, that I might know how you really look and feel; for these
letters tell nothing, and one word, _a quattr'occhi_, is worth whole
reams of correspondence. But only _do_ tell me you are happier than that
letter has led me to fear, and I shall be satisfied."

* * * * *

It was in a few weeks after this latter communication between us that
Lady Byron adopted the resolution of parting from him. She had left
London about the middle of January, on a visit to her father's house, in
Leicestershire, and Lord Byron was, in a short time after, to follow
her. They had parted in the utmost kindness,--she wrote him a letter,
full of playfulness and affection, on the road, and, immediately on her
arrival at Kirkby Mallory, her father wrote to acquaint Lord Byron that
she would return to him no more. At the time when he had to stand this
unexpected shock, his pecuniary embarrassments, which had been fast
gathering around him during the whole of the last year (there having
been no less than eight or nine executions in his house within that
period), had arrived at their utmost; and at a moment when, to use his
own strong expressions, he was "standing alone on his hearth, with his
household gods shivered around him," he was also doomed to receive the
startling intelligence that the wife who had just parted with him in
kindness, had parted with him--for ever.

About this time the following note was written:--

TO MR. ROGERS.

"February 8. 1816.

"Do not mistake me--I really returned your book for the reason
assigned, and no other. It is too good for so careless a fellow. I
have parted with all my own books, and positively won't deprive you
of so valuable 'a drop of that immortal man.'

"I shall be very glad to see you, if you like to call, though I am
at present contending with 'the slings and arrows of outrageous
fortune,' some of which have struck at me from a quarter whence I
did not indeed expect them--But, no matter, 'there is a world
elsewhere,' and I will cut my way through this as I can.

"If you write to Moore, will you tell him that I shall answer his
letter the moment I can muster time and spirits? Ever yours,

"BN."

* * * * *

The rumours of the separation did not reach me till more than a week
afterwards, when I immediately wrote to him thus:--"I a