in our situation, poisoning the freedom of our intercourse. This is
a tax, and a heavy one, which we must pay for being human. I think
the fault is not on my side; nor is it likely,--I being the weaker.
I hope that in the next world these things will be better managed.
What is passing in the heart of another rarely escapes the
observation of one who is a strict anatomist of his own. * * *

"Lord Byron here has splendid apartments in the palace of Count
Guiccioli, who is one of the richest men in Italy. She is divorced,
with an allowance of twelve thousand crowns a year;--a miserable
pittance from a man who has a hundred and twenty thousand a year.
There are two monkeys, five cats, eight dogs, and ten horses, all
of whom (except the horses) walk about the house like the masters
of it. Tita, the Venetian, is here, and operates as my valet--a
fine fellow, with a prodigious black beard, who has stabbed two or
three people, and is the most good-natured-looking fellow I ever
saw.

"Wednesday, Ravenna.

"I told you I had written, by Lord Byron's desire, to La
Guiccioli, to dissuade her and her family from Switzerland. Her
answer is this moment arrived, and my representation seems to have
reconciled them to the unfitness of the step. At the conclusion of
a letter, full of all the fine things she says she has heard of me,
is this request, which I transcribe:--'Signore, la vostra bonta mi
fa ardita di chiedervi un favore, me lo accorderete voi? _Non
partite da Ravenna senza Milord._' Of course, being now, by all the
laws of knighthood, captive to a lady's request, I shall only be at
liberty on _my parole_ until Lord Byron is settled at Pisa. I shall
reply, of course, that the boon is granted, and that if Lord Byron
is reluctant to quit Ravenna after I have made arrangements for
receiving him at Pisa, I am bound to place myself in the same
situation as now, to assail him with importunities to rejoin her.
Of this there is fortunately no need; and I need not tell you that
there is no fear that this chivalric submission of mine to the
great general laws of antique courtesy, against which I never
rebel, and which is my religion, should interfere with my soon
returning, and long remaining with you, dear girl. * *

"We ride out every evening as usual