 to dine at
Vauxhall, and sup at Marblehall, where we proposed to conclude the evening with
a dance, one barge being insufficient to contain the whole company, we were
divided by lots; in consequence of which, my husband and I were parted. This
separation was equally mortifying to us both, who, though married, were still
lovers; and my chagrin was increased, when I perceived that I was doomed to sit
by Sir W-- Y--, a man of professed gallantry: for, although lord W--m had,
before his marriage, made his addresses to every woman he saw, I knew very well
he did not desire that any person should make love to his wife.
    That I might not therefore give umbrage, by talking to this gallant, I
conversed with a Scotch nobleman, who, according to common report, had formerly
sighed among my admirers: by these means, in seeking to avoid one error, I
unwittingly plunged myself into a greater; and disobliged Lord W--m so much,
that he could not conceal his displeasure; nay, so deeply was he offended at my
conduct, that in the evening, when the ball began, he would scarce deign to take
me by the hand in the course of dancing, and darted such unkind looks as pierced
me to the very soul; and what augmented my concern, was my ignorance of the
trespass I had committed. I was tortured with a thousand uneasy reflections; I
began to fear that I had mistaken his temper, and given my heart to a man who
was tired of possession; tho' I resolved to bear without complaining the
misfortune I had entailed upon myself.
    I seized the first opportunity of speaking to him, and thereby discovered
the cause of his chagrin; but, as there was no time for expostulation, the
misunderstanding continued on his side, with such evident marks of uneasiness,
that every individual of the company made up to me, and inquired about the cause
of his disorder; so that I was fain to amuse their concern, by saying that he
had been ill the day before, and dancing did not agree with his constitution. So
much was he incensed by this unhappy circumstance of my conduct, which was void
of all intention to offend him, that he determined to be revenged of me, for my
indiscretion, and at supper, chancing to sit between two very handsome ladies,
(one of whom is lately dead, and the other, at present, my neighbour in the
country) he affected an air of gaiety, and openly coquetted with them
