IbelievethatForeigners，——andevenourownmercantileclasses，——havelittleideaoftheverynarrowprovisionwhichtheusual"RightoftheEldestSon"leavesfortheyoungermembersofnobleEnglishhouses。Theruleisexcellent，asameansofperpetuatingapowerfulandwealthyAristocracy；theChiefneverbeingimpoverishedbythatperpetualsubdivisionwhichtakesplaceinothercountries。Butoneresultis，thattheyoungerbrothersandsonsofPeers，（thehabitsofwhosechildhoodandyouthnaturallyweretoenjoyanequalityofluxurywiththeHeir，）areoftenembarrassedbytheslendernessoftheirmeans：
　　andthiswasourcase。Luckilyforme，lightserialliteraturewastheexpressfashionoftheday。Nordidthegreatestauthorswehad，disdaintocontributetheirsharetotheephemeral’Annuals’andPeriodicals，whichformedthestaplecommodityofthebook—sellersatthattime。
　　Irejoiced，then，atfinding，——womanthoughIwas，——acareerinwhichIcouldearnthatwhichmyhusband’sprofessionhadneverbroughthim。OutofourstormyquarrelsIroseundiscouraged，andworkedagaintohelphimandforwardtheinterestsofmychildren。
　　Ihavesatupallnight，——evenattimeswhenIhavehadayounginfanttonurse，——tofinishtasksforPage27
　　somepublisher。Imadeinoneyearasumof1，400l。bymypen；andIhavealetterfromMrNorton’sownbrother，provingthatevenwhenwewereontermsofestrangement，Istillprovided，withoutgrudging，moneythatwastobespentonhispleasures。
　　Astimewenton，MrNorton，stillunsatisfied，urgeduponmethetaskofobtainingforhimsomethingmorevaluablethanhismagistracy，andofwhichthedutiesshouldbemoreagreeable。Thepetitioningrecommenced；LordLyndhurstbecameChancellor，andthehopeofalegalappointmentwasagainindulged。Nothinghoweverwasyetobtained，whenawoman，towhoseinterferenceaboutmychildrenourfinalquarrelwasowing，begantoruleentirelyinmyhome。ShehassinceleftMrNortontwothousandayear；andheopenlyentreatedmypatiencewithher，onaccountofhermoney。LordMelbourne，forwhoseinterestwehadagainapplied，showedgreatreluctancetouseitonMrNorton’sbehalf；
　　andhadalreadyexpressed，innomeasuredterms，hisregretathavingmadetheformerappointment。Undauntedbythisfact，MrNortonmerelyobservedthatifLordMelbournewouldnotobtainaplace，hecouldprivatelyobligehim；andheappliedaccordinglytothepatronhehaslatelyreviled，fortheloanof1，500l。
　　MrNortonconsideredthatthisloanwasdeclined。LordMelbournetoldmethathemerelydemurred，ashedoubtedwhetherinrealityitwouldbealoan。Theconditionofouraffairswasnotexactlyknowntomeuntilthattime；thoughtheirritationarisingfromnon—success，wasvisiteduponme。Oneofthebitterquarrelswhichblightedourhomearose。Itsrecordwillbefoundwithothers；
　　thepresentoutlinebeingconfinedtopecuniarymatters。Afterthatquarrelwasmadeup，andIhadreturnedtoMrNorton，heenteredmorefullyuponastatementofhisaffairs；urginguponmemoststrenuously，toendeavour，asIhaddonebefore，toassisthim，eitherbygettingamorelucrativeappointmentoraloanofmoney。IexpressedmyastonishmentthathisownpatrimonialresourcesneverseemedtoPage28
　　yieldusanything；andreceivedtheinformationthattherewerenoproceedsforthcomingfromthehereditaryestates。Idoubtedthecorrectnessofthisassertion；butwrotetheveryunwelcomeintelligence，bothtomymotherandtooneofthetrusteesofmymarriagesettlement。FrommymotherIreceivedalettercontainingthefollowingpassage：——
　　"HamptonCourtPalace。
　　"Nothingcouldbemorepainfulandsurprisingtome，thanyourstatementofNorton’smoney—affairs。HadnotD。K。vouchedfortherespectabilityofMrP。，andconsequentlyforthefidelityofhisstatementofthepropertydestinedfortheyoungerbrothersandsistersofLordGrantley，InevershouldhavesufferedyoutomarryN。He（MrP。）distinctlystatedthatpropertytobeland，tothevalueof30，000l。，andifIgethisdirectionfromyou，Iwillexpostulatewithhimonthemonstrousuntruththenadvanced；whichmayperhapsinducehim，inhisownvindication，toshowhowyouhavebeencheated；whichitisevidentyouhavebeen。IfCharlesandJamesNortonjoinyou，thisaffairmightbeclearedalittle，anditisamanifestdutythatyoushouldexertyourself，foryourpoorCHILDREN。"
　　Exertmyself，GodknowsIdid；bothtounderstand，andtoavert，themismanagement（orworse）thatwastakingplace。TheletterIaddressedtomytrustee，producedthefollowingreply。
　　"31stAugust，1835。
　　"AsIwasonthepointofleavingLondon，Nortonappliedtomeformyconsenttoraiseaportionofthetrustfundandtoplacetheprincipalathisdisposal。ItoldhimIcoulddonothingofthiskindwithoutlegaladvice，andIcouldgivenoconsentwithouttheprevioussanctionofmysolicitors。AboutafortnightagoheappliedtometosignanorderonCouttsandCo。withreferencetothissametrustfund。Ireturneditunexecuted，toawaitthesanctionofthoseinwhosePage29
　　legaladviceIcouldconfide。Yourstatementofthepresentcircumstancesofthecase，provestheprecautiontohavebeennecessary。AsrelatestoNorton’spowerofraisingmoney，heisclearlyrestrainedbythetermsofhisownmarriagesettlement；andnopersonaldebtsofhis，incurredsubsequentlytothatsettlement，candefeatrightswhichwerevestedbyit；inotherwords，hisCHILDRENhaveabetterclaimthanhiscreditorstotheprincipalsumsecuredunderhismarriagesettlement。"
　　Ibegattentiontothedateoftheseletters；whichwerewrittenbutsixmonthsbeforeourfinalseparation，followedbythetrial，attributedtoLordMelbourne（aswillbeseeninhiscorrespondence）toanotherpecuniaryendeavouronMrNorton’spart。
　　Iwasalreadymotherofthreechildren，anditmustbeconfessedthatourprospectswererendereddiscouragingbytheextremereluctanceofpowerfulfriendstodoanythingmoreforMrNorton；andbythetotalandscornfulalienationfromhimofallthemalemembersofmyfamily。IexplainedourpositionveryfullytooneofthekindestfriendsIhad，——theRightHonourableEdwardEllice；andhedrewoutapaperofconditions，inwhichitwasexpresslystipulated，that，ifthedifficultiesinwhichMrNortonfoundhimselfcouldbelightened，andanyarrangementcometo，ourcurrentincomeinfuture，andthewholemanagementofouraffairs，shouldbeleftinmyhands；astipulationsignificantenoughastoMrNorton’sconductinmoney—matters。
　　Ourseparationtookplaceafewmonthsafterthesediscussions。MrNortondidnotatfirstspeculateondivorcingme；henotifiedtomethatmyfamilymightsupportme，orthatImightwriteformybread；andthatmychildrenwerebylawathissoledisposal。ColonelLeicesterStanhope（nowEarlofHarrington），whowascommissioned，asamutualfriend，toannouncethisdetermination，appendedtoitthefollowingcomment：——"N。’sproposalaboutyourincomeistoobad，tooshabby，toomean，toobase；hegraftsyouonyourbrother。"AndthetrusteeIhadpreviouslyconsulted，observed；——"Theproposi—Page30
　　tions（whichIreturn）arenolessabsurdthancontemptible；andyoucouldnothesitateoneinstantinrejectingthem。Theymustthinkyouhavelostyourbrains，whentheycallonyoutosubsistbythem，iftheythinkyouarefoolenoughtobegulledorbulliedintosuchterms。"MrNorton，however，soonprovedwhatmeasuresareatanEnglishhusband’sdisposal，whosewifedemurstoanytermshechoosestoimpose。Thosewhosawtheirownadvantageinourquarrel，advisedhimtomakeLordMelbourneanobjectofattack；andunderourmercantilelawof"Damages，"MrNortonsawhisadvantageinadoptingthesuggestion。LordErskine，inoneofhisdivorcecases，hadobtainedaverdictof7，000l。；（asumwhich，inthatparticularcase，wassaidtoinvolvethewholefortuneofthedefendant）andSirW。FollettdidhisbesttoemulateLordErskine，inurgingthismainobjectonthejury。Herepeated，ineveryform，hisargumentforaggravatedcompensationtohisclient。Sometimesheputitasasimpleandinevitablelegalresult，——"Ifyouaresatisfied（assatisfiedIthinkyoumustbe，ofthefactsstated），itremainsforyoutoconsiderwhatDAMAGESyouwillgive。"Sometimeswithaskilfulandbusiness—likeallusiontothewealthwhichmadealargesumanaturalandproperaward，——"Ofcourse，"hesays，"Ofcourse，thepositionofthepartiesinthiscase，therankofoneoftheparties，andthemodeinwhichtheylivedbeingconsidered，itisforyou，Gentlemen，underallcircumstances，tosaywhatmayappeartoyouaproperamountofDAMAGES。"
　　Sometimes，asanevidenceofthewrongssustained，andthedegreeofthatwrong，——"TheamountofDAMAGES，——thoughnotasapersonalcompensation，——mustbeconsideredintheresult。"Sometimes，asanappealtothepassionsandsympathiesofthejurymen；sayingofLordMelbourne，——"Hisrankisanaggravation——hisageisanaggravation——andthehollowpretenceofhisbeingafriendoftheplaintiff，isastillgreateraggravation……ItisthenforyoutosaywhatDAMAGESyouwillgive。"Sometimes，withasortofadmonitiontothejurytoprovetheirownstrictnessofPage31
　　principle，bytheamountofthepenaltyenforced，——"Icalluponyoutomarkbyyourverdict，——intheonlywayinwhichthelawallows，——yoursenseoftheconductofthedefendant。"Nothingwasomittedtobeurgedthatcouldbeurged，onthispoint；andnodoubt，——iftheaccusationhadbeenbelieved，——veryheavydamageswouldhavebeenawarded；butthejurypronouncedagainstMrNorton，withoutevenretiringtodiscusstheirverdict，andthespeculationfailed；bothasregardedpoliticalandpecuniaryinterests。
　　Whenthewomandied，towhommychildrenhadbeensent，MrNortonproposedtometo"forgive"thepublictrial，andreturntohim。Afterthat，heproposedweshouldsubmittoreferees；towhomhehaveawrittenpromisethathewouldbeabidebytheirdecisions，andthenrefusedtobound。Thenheadvertisedmeasarun—awayinthepublicpapers；andhehas，Ibelieve，theunenviabledistinctionofbeingtheonlyEnglishgentlemanwhoeverresortedtosuchanexpedient；
　　onwhichevenmysolicitorremarked："TherearefewmeninMrNorton’srankoflife，orinstationsunderit，whowillnotknowwhattothinkofthemeasure。"FortwoyearsIremainedwithoutonefarthingofsupportfromthehusbandwhohadowedtomethegreaterportionofhisincome。
　　Hethenmadewhatcompulsoryallowancehepleased；tillintheyear1848，beingdesirousofemployingthetrust—fundsettledonmeandmychildren，inimprovingtheestatelefthimbythewomantowhomhefirstsacrificedus，heenteredintothewrittencontractwithme，towhichIhavealreadyalluded。Thehistoryofthebreachofthatcontractwillbefoundinmygeneralnarration，andIhereclosethatportionwhichrelatesexclusivelytopecuniarymatters。
　　ThetreatmentthatIreceivedasaWife，wouldbeincredibleif，fortunately（orunfortunately），therewerenotwitnesseswhocanproveitonoath。WehadbeenmarriedbutafewweeksPage32
　　whenIfoundthatapartofmylotwasthatwhichgenerallybelongstoalowersphere——andthat，whenangry，MrNortonresortedtopersonalviolence。
　　Afterourhoneymoon，welivedforashorttimeinchambersMrNortonhadoccupiedasabachelor；
　　inGardenCourt，Temple；and，onthefirstoccasionofdispute，aftersomehighandviolentwords，heflungtheink—stand，andmostofthelaw—books，whichmighthaveservedabetterpurpose，attheheadofhisbride。Wehadnoservants，onlyanoldwoman，whohadtakencareofthesechambersforsomeyears，andwhoofferedmetheacceptableconsolation，thathermasterwasnot"sober"，——andwouldregretit"by—and—bye。"
　　AfterthishappybeginningIaccompaniedmyhusbandtoScotland。Wehadbeenmarriedabouttwomonths，when，oneevening，afterwehadallwithdrawntoourapartments，wewerediscussingsomeopinionhehadexpressed；Isaid，（veryuncivilly，）that"IthoughtIhadneverheardsosillyorridiculousaconclusion。"Thisremarkwaspunishedbyasuddenandviolentkick；theblowreachedmyside；
　　itcausedgreatpainformanydays，andbeingafraidtoremainwithhim，Isatupthewholenightinanotherapartment。
　　Fourorfivemonthsafterwards，whenweweresettledinLondon，wehadreturnedhomefromaball；IhadthennopersonaldisputewithMrNorton，butheindulgedinbitterandcoarseremarksrespectingayoungrelativeofmine，who，thoughmarried，continuedtodance，——apractice，MrNortonsaid，nohusbandoughttopermit。
　　Idefendedtheladyspokenof，andthenstoodsilentlylookingoutofthewindowatthequietlightofdawn，bywayofcontrast。MrNortondesiredIwould"ceasemycontemplations，"andretiretorest，ashehadalreadydone；andthismandateproducingnoresult，hesuddenlysprangfromthebed，seizedmebythenapeoftheneck，anddashedmedownonthefloor。
　　Thesoundofmyfallwokemysisterandbrother—in—law，whosleptinaroombelow，andtheyranuptomydoor。MrNortonlockedit，andPage33
　　stoodoverme，declaringnooneshouldenter。Icouldnotspeak，——I
　　onlymoaned。Mybrother—in—lawburstthedooropen，andcarriedmedownstairs。Ihadaswellingonmyheadformanydaysafterward，andtheshockmademysisterexceedinglyill。
　　Onanotheroccasion，whenIwaswritingtomymother，MrNorton（whowassippingspiritsandwater，whilehesmokedhiscigar）saidhewassure"fromtheexpressionofmycountenance，"thatIwas"complaining。"Iansweredthat"Iseldomcoulddoanythingelse。"Irritatedbythereply，MrNortonsaidIshouldnotwriteatall，andtoretheletterup。Itookanothersheetofpaper，andrecommenced。Afterwatchingandsmokingforafewminutes，herose，tookoneoftheallumettesIhadplacedforhiscigar，litit，pouredsomeofthespiritsthatstoodbyhimovermywritingbook，and，inamoment，setthewholeinablaze。ButMrNortonvouchsafednoothernoticeofmyalarm，thanthatitwould"teachmenottobravehim。"
　　Onanotheroccasion，sometimebeforethebirthofmyyoungestson，Ibeingatbreakfast，andmyeldestchildplayingabouttheroom，MrNortonentered；hedesiredmetoriseandleavetheplaceIwassittingin，asitfacedthepark，anditamusedhimtoseethepeoplepassby。Idemurred，andsaidIwasnotwell，andthatheshouldhavecomedownearlierifhehadanyfancyorchoiceaboutplaces。Wehadnootherwordofdispute。MrNortonthendeliberatelytookthetea—kettle，andsetitdownuponmyhand；Istartedupfromthepain，andwasbothburntandscalded。Iranuptothenursery，andthenursegotthesurgeonwholivednextdoortocomeinanddressmyhand，whichremainedboundupanduselessfordays。Whenthiswasover，IenquiredwhereMrNortonwas？andreceivedforreply，thatafterIhadbeenhurt，hehadsimplydesiredtheservantto"brushthecrumbsaway，"intheplacehehaddesiredmetoyield；hadthensatdownthereandbreakfasted；andhadsincegoneout——withoutonewordofapologyorenquiry。
　　Page34
　　Aboutthesameperiod，adisputehavingarisenafterdinner，IsaidIreallywaswearyofmylifewiththeperpetualwranglings；thatIhadagreatdealtodo，andwouldsitnolongerwithhim，butgotothedrawing—roomandwriteforaPeriodical，ofwhichIthenhadtheeditorship；thatIonlyaskedhimtostaywherehewas，andsmokethere，insteadofupstairs。Heanswered，thatthehousewashis，——notmine；——thatheshouldsitinwhatroomhepleased；andthatIshouldfindIcouldnotcarrythingswithsuchahighhandasIdesiredtodo。Ilefthim；calledmymaid，desiredhertobringherworkandremainintheroom，asIdidnotfeelwell，andlockingthedoorofthedrawing—roomforfurthersecurity，preparedtowrite。MrNortoncameanddemandedadmittance。
　　Irefused，andsaidIwasundressing。Afterrepeatinghisdemand，andsaying，ifthedoorwasnotinstantlyopenedhewouldbreakitopen，hewasasgoodashisword。Heforcedinthedoor，forcingawaytheframeworkwithit，andrushedforward。Hestoppedshortonseeingmymaid，anddesiredherinstantlytoleavetheroom。Isaidshemuststay，forIwasafraidofbeingleftalonewithhim。MrNortonthengavewaytothemostfranticrage，blewoutthecandles，flungthefurnitureabout，andseizedmymaidtoturnheroutoftheroombyforce。Iclungtoher，andbeingextremelyfrightened，andnaturallyatthattimelessstrongthanusual，Ibecameveryfaint，andsomeoftheotherservantsentering，MrNortondesisted。
　　Hethenlightedataper，examinedthedoor，askedwherethecarpenterlived，andlefttheroom。Ithoughttheworstwasover；butIwasmistaken。MrNortonreturnedalmostimmediately，andseizingme，forcedmeoutoftheroomanddownonthestairs。Ireallyfearedformylife；Ishriekedforhelp，andsaidIwassureMrNortonwas"gonemad。"Theman—servantheldbackhisarmwhilehewasstrugglingwiththemaid，whowasterrifiedtodeath，——andatlength，assistedbytheservants，Iretiredonceagaintothenursery，andsleptwiththenurse；leavingMrNortonmasterofthePage35
　　roomhehadbrokeninto，andmyliterarytasksandthefurniturescatteredovertheground。
　　Iintendedtohaveleftmyhomeinthemorning；butwhenmorningcame，Iwastooill。IsawnomoreofMrNortontilltheeveningofthatday。Iwassittingwithmytwolittlechildreninthesameroom。Hedidnotspeaktome，——hespoketooneofthechildrenandwentawayagain。Ihadwrittentomybrothertostateallthathadoccurred。Isaidthatforthesakeofthosechildrenandtheoneunborn，Ishouldbelothtopartfrommyhusband；thatIborehimnoill—will，butthatunlesshewouldundertaketobe"gentlemanlike"
　　inhisconducttowardsme，Imustleavehim。Mybrotherforwardedacopyofmystatementtomyhusband，——toldhimtherecouldbebutoneopinionofhiscruelandviolentassault，andthatunlesshereceived，withintwenty—fourhours，awrittenexpressionofcontritionandpromisesforthefuture，hewouldexposeMrNorton。TothatletterIowethemiserablesatisfactionofholding，underMrNorton’sownhandwriting，proofofeverycircumstanceofthisscene；forheundertooktojustifyhimselftomybrother；headmittedallthefacts；headmittedthatIhadwithdrawntowriteformypublishers，andhadtoldhimso，butsaidhebrokeopenthedoor"onprinciple；thinkingitnecessary，asahusband，toresistsuchextravagantanddisrespectfulproceedings"aslockinghimoutofanyroominthehouse。Thatheblewoutthecandlestopreventmymaidremainingandworkingintheapartment；
　　andthatIhadnotseemedatallangrywhenIlefthiminthedining—room。
　　Recently，MrNortonhasspokenofthissceneinoneofhisletterstothe’Times’newspaper，asa"frivolousquarrel。"Ileavetootherstodeterminewhatthenotionsofgeneralconducttowardsawomanwerelikelytobe，inthepersonwhoseideaof"frivolous"disputesarethusexemplified。
　　Mybrother’sinterferenceavailed，however，forthattime。MrNortonapologised，adjuredmetopardonhim，andwrotetriumphantlytomybrothertosaythatwe"wereallrightPage36
　　again，"andthathehopedmybrotheralsowould"forgetandforgive。"
　　Onoccasionsthatreallywere"frivolous，"hewasnotlesstyrannical。Hissistercametostaywithusforthreeorfourmonths，inLondon；andhenotifiedmethatIshouldgonowhereunlessshewasinvitedwithus。Ipleadedthathereccentricitiespreventedmyfriendsfrominvitingher；thatshewasdresseddifferentlyfromotherladies；wearingasortofBloomercostume，ashortdresswithtrowsers，andherhaircroppedlikeaman’s；andaltogetheraffectedmasculinesingularities，whichastonishedandrepelledpersonswhohadtheusualhabitsofsociety。MrNorton，however，heldfirmtohisdetermination，anddeclaredhewouldsooner"cutthetracesofthecarriage"
　　thanallowmetogowithouther。
　　Theyearafterthesceneofbreakingopenthedoor，mysisters，brother—in—law，andbrother，plannedatourinGermany，andIwasveryanxioustobeoftheparty。MrNortonconsented，providedthatIwoulddefraytheexpenseofthetour。Iprovidedforit，byanagreementwithMessrs。SaundersandOtley，foranovelcalled"TheWifeandWoman’sReward，"andwesetoutandjoinedmyfamilyatAntwerp。
　　Weproceeded，however，nofartherthanAixlaChapelle，whereMrNortonbecameillwithalamenesswhichmadehimunwillingtotravel，andtheotherswentonwithoutus。Idefyanywifetohaveshownmoreunselfishordevotedattentiontoahusband，thanIdidtoMrNortonunderthesecircumstances，althoughassuredthattherewasnottheslightestcauseforanxietyinhisindisposition。Wewerewithoutservants，——thecourierandlady’smaidhavingaccompaniedthemainparty。MrNortonwouldscarcelypermitanyattendancefromthedomesticsofthehotel，——hespokenoforeignlanguage，andthemisunderstandingsirritatedhim。Icombinedthereforeinmyownperson，byhisdesire，thefunctionsofsick—nurse，valet，andchambermaid。Isolemnlydeclarethattherewasnotask，howevermenialorlaborious，thatIwasnotexpectedtoper—Page37
　　form，anddidnotperform。Iwasneverallowedtogoout，evenforawalk。Iwaspermitted，occasionally，todineatthetabled’hô；te；
　　andsentfor，morethanonce，inthemidstofmydinner，tobetoldthatthemealwasinconceivablylong；ortobedesiredtoputleechesthathadbeenused，intofreshwater。MorethanonepersoninthehotelexpresseddoubtsastomybeingreallyMrNorton’swife，inconsequenceofhisstrangetreatmentofme；and，atlength，aftersomeexplanationswithme，theGermandoctorvolunteeredtoremonstratewithmyhusband。HetoldhimthatIwasillfromover—exertionandwantoffreshair；thatsomeofthetasksimposeduponmewerenotonlytoofatiguingbutpositivelyinjurious；headvisedMrNortontoemploya"garç；ondesbains"towaitonhiminsteadofme，andaskedpermissionformetovisithiswifeandsister，andwalkwiththem。Iwroteto"complain，"asusual，tomyfamily，andmybrothercamebacktome。Itwillscarcelybebelievedthatafterallthis，Ihaving，asIhavestated，actedasMrNorton’sservant；havingdefrayedthewholeexpenceofthedrearyresidencewithwassubstitutedforourtour；andbeingquiteillandwornoutatlast，withthewayinwhichmydayshadpassed；hetookthefirstopportunityofagainresortingtopersonalviolence。
　　Iobjectedtohissmokinginourlittletravellingcarriage，especiallyashesmokedahookah。Iwasirritatedandsuffocatedbythevolumeoftobaccoinsoconfinedaspace。IbeggedMrNortonseveraltimestowaittillwearrivedatthehotel。Hedidnotanswerordesist。AtlengthI
　　impatientlysnatchedatthepipe，andflungthemouth—pieceoutofthewindow。Thecarriagewasthenslowlyascendingahill，andMrNortonalightedandrecoveredthemissingportionofthepipe。Hethenseizedmebythethroat，andpinnedmebackwithafierceoathagainstthehoodofthecarriage。
　　Ithoughtthen，andIthinknow，thatIshouldhavebeenstrangledinaminuteortwomore，butthatIstruggledfromhisgrasp，andwithoutevenattemptingtohavethecarriagestopped，slippeddownPage38
　　throughthedoor，（whichhehadnotclosed，）intotheroad。I
　　ranaftertheothercarriages，andentreatedwithsomeoneofmyfamilytotravelwithustoprotectme，whichwasaccordinglydone。Themarksofhisfingerswereinbruisesonmythroat；andfromthedateofthisforeigntourthereexistedanalienationfrommyhusbandonthepartofmyfamily，whichhissubsequentconductcompleted。
　　Earlyintheensuingsummer，thequarrel，whichdividedhimfromthemforever，tookplace。OnthisoccasionIleftMrNorton，andwithdrewtothehouseofmybrother—in—law；
　　andmyhusbanddesiringmyreturn，mybrothersentafriendtoarrangeconditionsforthatreturn，inwriting，statingthattillthatwasdoneherefusedtoenterintoanycorrespondencewhateverwithMrNorton，norwasittobethoughtthatanybrotherwouldpermithissistertoreceivethetreatmentIdid。Iwaswarnedandearnestlyadvisednottogoback，afterallthathadoccurred；andifIhadtakenthatadvice，——ifIhadhadmoreresolutionandlesscredulity，——Ishouldnotnowbesumminguptheevidenceofseventeenyearsoftorment，sorrow，andshame。ButitwouldnothavesuitedMrNortonsotoletmeescape。Hegavethewrittenpledgeofgoodtreatmenttothefriendmybrotherhadsent。Hesaidhewaswillingto"makeanysacrifice，providedIreturnedtomyhome。"Hewrotetome，entreatingmenottoletothersdivideus。Hewrotetomyfamilyintheextremestandmostexaggeratedtermsofsubmission。Hesaidhewasgladtheyhadavengedmeandscornedhim，andhevowedtotreatmekindlyforthefuture。
　　Tome，hisletterswerecouchedintermsofthemostpassionateadjurationforpityandforgiveness。
　　Theywerelettersitwasimpossibletoreadwithoutbeingtouched——theywereletterswhichdrewmehomeagain，inspiteofpastdeceiving，pastbrokenpromises，pastill—usage——inspiteoftheadviceto"holdfirm，"
　　andnotreturn，whichIreceivedfromalmosteveryfriendIhad。Iwassafe；Iwasoutofhispower：myPage39
　　reputationwasunsullied。Iwaswithmysister；andIreturned，inanswertohisimploringprayers，onlytoberewardedwithattemptedruinanddisgrace！Hesaid"nowordscouldprovehisremorse。"Hesaid，"AsthereisaGodaboveus，whowilljudgeouractions，IthinkIhavearighttoaskyoutotrusttomeforthefuture。IfIcannotmakeyouhappy，letusthenquietlyandrationallyseparate，Ideclaringtotheworldthatthecauseofitwasnotanyimputationonyou。"Heimploredmebyallthatwasdearandholytogranta"complete"forgiveness——a"real"
　　pardon——towriteitthemomentIhadreadhisletter——tosealandsenditbythepost，andnotletanyoneseeit，forfeartheyshouldadviseagainstit。Hesaid，"Youshallneverrepentofthis；youshallnot——youshallnot。"Headjuredmenotto"crush"him，andheendedhisletterwiththewords，"Igoonmykneestoyou！Havepity——havecompassiononme！"
　　Iansweredhim：Ipitiedhim：Iwentbacktohim：Ibelievedthenthathereallyrepented，andgrievedtoloseme；Iamconvincednow，thatitwaspartofascheme：ofadetermination，atleast，thatifweweretopart，hewouldmakemeruethedayonmyownaccount。Aftermyreturn，hetreatedmeashehaddonebefore。Astotheconditions，theywerebrokenbeforeIhadbeentwodaysinmyhome：andduringaverysevereillnesswhichfollowedtheagitationandmiserytowhichIhadbeenexposed，andinwhichIprematurelylostmyinfant，hebehavedwiththeutmostharshnessandneglect，leavingmetobenursedbymybrother，andrefusingtobeanswerablefortheexpensesincurred。Scarceamonthafterhislastpenitentandtouchinglettertome，mybrotherwasagaincompelledtoremindhimthatheappearedtohaveforgottenthereasonsthatmade"interferenceonmybehalfaduty，"andthattotallypreventedhispresumingtoquestiontheauthoritybywhichmybrotherinterfered。ThiswasinAugust，1835。
　　Thingswerefastdrivingtoruin。MyfamilyremainedonthemostformalanddistanttermswithMrNorton，themalemembersPage40
　　ofitscarcelyacknowledginghisacquaintance。Icancallthemtowitnessthat，afterourreconciliation，Ipleadedforhim；butitwasnotonlyonmyaccount，thattheychosetowithdrawfromhisintimacy。
　　Isawlessofhimthanusualduringthefewmonthsthatintervenedbeforeourfinalseparation。HewentalonefortheshootingseasontoScotland，asIwasnotwellenoughtotravel，andafterhisreturnhespentnearlyallthetimehecouldcommandwithMissVaughan，throughwhomhehopedatleasttorightthedisorderinhispecuniaryaffairs。LordMelbournedeclinedtomakeanyattempttoobtainabetterappointmentthantheonehehadalreadybestowed，andwhileIwaswithmysisterinthecountry，wrotetocomplainofastrangeattemptonMrNorton’sparttointerferewiththeappointmentofanothermagistrate（inwhichIafterwardsfoundhewastohaveapersonaladvantage）。Ireturnedtotownwhenmatterswereinthiscondition；mystaytherewastohavebeenbrief，forIhadsettledtopasstheEasterwithmychildrenatmybrother’shouseinDorsetshire。
　　IwasthenonperfectlyfriendlytermsMrNorton，inspiteofhisdiscontentinothermatters。Hehadwrittenmecoaxingandflatteringletters，urgingmetotry，bothwithLordMelbourneandLordJohnRussell，togetthisappointmentgiventohisfriend，andpraisingLordM。’s"kindnessonalloccasions。"HeneveropposedinanywaymyplansfortheEaster，but，onthecontrary，urgedme，nowwewerefriends，toover—rulemybrother’sobjectionstoreceivehim，andgethimalsoinvited——inwhichattemptI
　　didnotsucceed。OnthedayprevioustothatonwhichIwastoleavetown，Ireturnedfrommydrive，andfoundMissVaughanhadcalledinmyabsence，andremainedclosetedwithmyhusbandforsometime。LordMelbournewaswithhimwhenIcamein，andtheyweretalkingtogether。AfterLordM。
　　left，MrNortontalkeddiscontentedlyoftheappointment，andangrilyofmynotgettingthatandpecuniaryinterestsarrangedforhim。HealsosaidMissVaughanhadtoldhim，ifhehimselfPage41
　　wasnotnoticedbymybrother，heoughtnottosubmittomygoingtohishousewithmychildren。Isaidnothingshouldpreventmygoingtomybrother；thatitwasMrNorton’sownfaulthewasnotontermswithmyfamily；thatthedoctorhadorderedchangeofairfortheelderchild，whowasrecoveringfromscarlatina；andthatIshouldgivemyservantsorderstorefuseMissVaughanadmittancetomyhouse，asshelabouredalwaysformischief，inspiteofmypatiencewithher。Wepartedangrily——MrNortontodinewiththechiefmagistrate，SirFredericRoe，andItodinewithLadyMaryFox。WespenttheeveningtogetheratapartyatLordHarrington’s，andreturnedhometogether。Thedisputewasthenrenewed，whetherunderthecircumstancesIshouldgotomybrother’s。MrNorton’slastwordswere——"Well，thechildrenshallnot，thatIhavedetermined；"andasheenteredthehousehedesiredtheservantstounpackthecarriage（whichhadbeenpreparedforstarting），andtakethechildren’sthingsout，forthattheywerenotgoing。Hethenwentuptothenursery，andrepeatedtheordertothenurse。
　　ItwasadmittedatthetrialthatthesoleobservationImadeonthisoccasion，whenthenurseaskedme"whatshewastodo？"was，that"MrNorton’sordersmustbeobeyed。"Ineitherbravedhimwithuselesswords，norcomplained。
　　Iwaitedtillthemorning，andthenwenttomysister’s，toconsultwithherwhatwastobedone。
　　WhileIwaswithmysister，mychildrenwerekidnappedandtakenpossessionofbyMissVaughan；asIdoubtnothadbeenagreeduponthedaybefore。Theman—servantcametomysister，andsaid"somethingwasgoingwrongathome；"thatthechildren，withtheirthings，hadbeenputintoahackney—coachandtakenaway，hedidnotknowwhere。IhadthechildrentracedtoMissVaughan’shouse，andfollowedthem。Anythinglikethebitterinsolenceofthiswoman——whothoughtshehadbaffledandconqueredmeforlife——Ineverexperienced。
　　ShegaveventtothemostviolentandindecentPage42
　　answerstomyreproaches，andsaidthatifItroubledherfurthershewouldgivemeintothehandsofthepolice。Ilefther，andwentalonetomybrother’shouseinthecountry。Iwishedhimtoreturnimmediatelytotownwithme；andsofarfromhavingintended，previoustothisoutrage，toleavemyhome，orhavingmadeanypreparationwhateverforsuchanevent，Ilefteverythingthatbelongedtome（evenmywearingapparel）inMrNorton’shouse；andhe，whoafterwardsadvertisedmeasarun—away，thoughitsoprobablethatIshouldreappearnextdaywithmybrother，thathegavethisorderinwritingtotheman—servant，datedthemorningaftermydeparture：——
　　"IncaseMrsNortonorherbrothershouldreturntotown，andcallatStorey’sGate，thisismywrittenauthoritytoyou，torefuseadmittance，andtoopenthehouse—dooronlywiththechainacross。"
　　"G。C。Norton。"
　　ItwasthoughtbestthatIshouldnotreturn，andIthereforeescapedthedisgracefulreceptionwiththechainacrossthedoorofmyhome，whichmyhusbandhadpreparedforme。IwrotetoMrNorton’smother，toinformherofwhathadoccurred，andtosaythatImustpartfromhim；andMrNorton，onhisside，requestedLordHarringtontowritetomyfamilytosayhewouldpartfromme，——butmakenoprovisionforme，——norsuffermetohavemychildren。Ididnot，atfirst，knowthatamotherhadnolegalclaimtoherchildren，andI
　　answeredbydefyingthisinjustice。Mymother，mybrother，andmybrother—in—law，alsowrotetoLordHarrington，explainingtohimthetruth，anddisclosingtohim，——withveryseverecommentsonMrNorton’scharacter，——thecircumstancesofourformerdisputes。LordHarringtoncommunicatedtoMrNortonthesubstanceofthesereplies（whichcontainedproofs，extractedfromMrNorton’sownletters），andtoldhimthatIutterlyrefusedtoaccedetohisterms。MrNortonthensaidhewouldnotpartfrommequietly，butendeavourpubliclytodisgraceme；thathehadputtheaffairinthehandsofPage43
　　lawyers，pledgedhimselfnottointerfere，andwasnotallowedtomentionwhattheythoughtofdoing；thatmyfamilyhadconspiredagainsthim，andtheyshouldmaintainme；thathewasoccupiedwithenquiriesintomyconducttowardsmymaleacquaintanceingeneral，andwould"tryforadivorce，"ifacasecouldbemadeout。
　　Inoneoftheattemptsto"makeout"acase，MrNortonresortedtothestrangeruseofengagingthecab—boyofthegentlemanhedesiredtoentrap，andsendingtheladtotryandgethismaster’slettersfromtheClub；andactofwhichLordHarringtonobserved，that"ifattemptedatthePost—office，itwouldhavebeenfelony。"
　　HavingreportedtoLordHarringtonallthatcouldbesaidtomydetriment，LordH。wrotetoMrNortonasfollows：——
　　"IhavetoldMrsN。allthebasecalumniesutteredagainsther。Iwilldothesamebyyou。Theysaythatyoukeptamistress。Theysaythatyouwantedtoborrow1400l。fromLordMelbourne；thatyouacceptedfavorsfromLord————，afterprofessingjealousyofhim。Thatyoupledgedyourwordofhonourtoafalsehood。Thatyourwifemadebyherwritingsasummorethansufficienttopayallyourdebts。Thatyouhaveyourselfdeniedhertovisitors，andeventomembersofherownfamily，whenLordMelbournehasbeenwithher。Thatyouhaveoftenusedpersonalviolencetoyourwife。Unlessyoucandisprovetheseaccusations，youarelostintheestimationoftheworld。"
　　LordHarringtonthenwrotetomeasfollows：——
　　"Icallednextday。IwasreceivedbyaMrMaclean；alawyerandfriend。MrMacleansaid，itwasagreedthatNortonshouldseenoone。Italkedoverthese’accusations’
　　withMrM。Ichallengedhimtoanswerthem。Hesaid，’Thisisnotthetime，andyouarenottheperson。’Isaid，’Youcannotanswerthem。’IwroteafterwardstoNortonasfollows：——’InowseeclearlythatyouaresurroundedbyaPage44
　　cliqueoflawyersandfriends，andundertheirinfluence，whokeepyourpersonandyourmindimprisoned。Putyourjailorstothetest。
　　Letthemanswertheaccusationsinmyletter，andletthemanswerthisadditionalcharge。Youareaccused（notbyme）ofhavingintendedtoprocureaMagistracyforagentlemanforacompensationinmoney。Askyourlawyersandthefriendswhoinfluencethem，ifthischargewereproved，whetheryouwouldbeallowedtositonthejudgmentseat。’
　　"L。S。"
　　TotheseadjurationsLordHarringtonreceivednomoresatisfactoryreplyfromMrNortonthanthefollowingcarelessallusioninaletteronthegeneralsubjectofourquarrel。
　　"Asregardsthe’ondits，’
　　statedinyours，thisdoesnotappeartobethetimetoenteruponthatrefutationofthemwhichIwouldotherwisecourtanopportunityofobtaining。
　　Everyours，April14th，1836
　　G。C。Norton。"
　　MrNortondidnot，however，seemtobuildwithcertaintyonthechanceofrefutation，forhisnextstepwastorequestaninterviewwithSirJamesGraham（whowasrelatedtomebymymother’sside），andinformhimthatheadmittedhislawyerscouldprovenothingamissinmyconduct，andthat，therefore，hewaswillingtocometosuchtermsofseparationascouldbeagreedupon。SirJamesGrahamdemanded，asapreliminarytoallnegotiations，awrittenretractionoftheslandersagainstme。WhatwasMrNorton’sreply？thathebelievedthem？No：butthat"ifheretractedwhatwassaidofme，wouldmyfamilycontradictwhatwassaidofhim，asotherwisehewouldbeleftinhiswife’spower？"
　　SirJamesGrahamwouldnotdiscussthiscondition，butleftMrNortontohisreflections，promisingtoseehimagain。Thepainfulscandalwassupposedtobeended，andLordHarringtonwrotethustocongratulateme：——
　　Page45
　　"22ndApril，1836。
　　"ThankGodyourpersecutorshaveterminatedtheirlabours。Theirobjectwasnottruthorjustice；nottoexamineintoyourcharacter，butsolelytocriminateyou。Ithasendedinyourhonourandtheirdisgrace。N。’sconductisreallydisreputable；
　　butfarlesssothanthosewhohavehuntedhimon。"
　　Mostprematurewerethesecongratulations！AttheverytimewhenMrNortonwasangrilywaveringbetweenthedreadofexposureforhimself，andthedesireofvengeance，certainpersonages，whosawinourquarrelanopportunityforastrokeinpolitics，persuadedhimtoattackLordMelbourne。
　　IknowMrNortonhasdeniedthathewasthusadvised；especiallybyhisfriendandguardianLordWynford。
　　Iknowthathemadetheincredibleassertion，thathissoleadvisorwasastable—helper，whomhehimselfhadformerlydischargedfordrunkenness，andwhowas，atthetimeofthisquarrel，arag—sellerinMonmouthstreet；
　　thatthismansuddenlyappeared，andtoldhimagrossandstrangestory，onthestrengthofwhichhemadeuphismindtopersecutethePrimeMinisterofEngland。Letthosebelievethishistorywhocan；itiscertainlypossiblethatallthatwassaidoftheinterferenceofpoliticalleaders，wasasfalseaswhattheysaidofme；but，meanwhile，IknowthatthelateKingconsidereditapoliticalplot；thatLordMelbournehimselfthoughtso；
　　thatsomeofthewitnessesaffirmedtheyhadbeenexaminedinLordWynford’shouse；andthat，atallevents，theimpressionofsomesuchinterferenceobtainedsufficientlytomaketheDukeofCumberlandanxioustodenyitonbehalfoftheToryparty，asLordMelbourne’sletterswillprove。IntheprecedingyeartheWhigshadbeenturnedout；SirRobertPeelhadbeensentforinallhaste，fromItaly，toformaToryadministration；andthenewGovernmenthadbeenimmediatelyoutvotedonLordJohnRussell’sChurchTemporalitiesBill。InMay，LordMelbournereconstructedaWhigPage46
　　cabinet，andtheMinistryofamomentfoundthemselvesagainintheranksoftheopposition；anoppositionnotoriouslyinpossessionofthesympathyoftheCourt。IntheletterslatelypublishedbyMrNorton，hehashimselfbrandedtheconductofthecasegotupagainsttheunwelcomeWhigMinister，byrevealingtheminutesofhisownlawyer’sconsultationwithSirWilliamFollett。Bytheseminutesitisshown，thatSirW。F。consideredthecharacterofthewitnessessobad，thathedoubtedtheprobabilityofaverdictbeingobtained，butthat，nevertheless，theythoughtitworthwhiletoproceedatallhazards，forthesakeoftheexposure。Itismadeperfectlyclearthatsomeofthoseconcernedinthisbusiness，werecarelesswhatmightbetheresult，solongastherewasanoverwhelmingpublicscandal；andastoMrNortonhimself，hisconductwasinfinitelylessrashandunreasonablethantheeventwouldmakeitappear；sincehehasoverandoveragainadmitted，thathehadasecretreliancethecasewouldnotbedefendedatall。He，——whoaloneknewhowmiserablemyhomehadbeen，——howoftenIhadthreatenedtoleavehim，——howbutaveryfewmonthsbefore，Ihadputthatthreatintoexecutionbywithdrawingtomysister’shouse，andhadonlybeenluredhomeagain，byhisexaggeratedprotestationsofrepentanceanddespair，——hebelieved，thatIwouldnotunwillinglyrenouncethatbitterunion，andexistenceofpersonalstruggle，tobecomethewifeofLordMelbourne。Hethoughthesawagoldenpathoutofallhisdifficulties；freedomfromthemarriagetie；pecuniarydamagesfromthePrimeMinister；andthepowerofavenging，bymydisgrace，thescornformerlyshewnhimbymyfamily。Thosewhohadinstigatedhim，cametothetrialdoubtfuloftheresult，butconfidentofthescandal；MrNortoncametoit，carelessofthescandal，andconfidentoftheresult。Hemiscalculatedhischances，onlybecausethetrialwasdefended。Themockeryofaccusationwasgonethrough；MrNortonwasrepresentedasanamiable，injured，deceivedPage47
　　husband；LordMelbourneasaprofligateimpostor；andImyselfasapaintedwanton。ThetimewhichhadbeenspentinreadingtranslationsofEschylus——listeningtoexplanationsoftheunknowntheoriesofpolitics，——
　　"Andsearchofdeepphilosophy，Wit，eloquence，andpoesy，"wasrepresentedtohavebeenpassedinamannerwhichamazedmelessbythefalsehoodthanthecoarsenessoftheinvention。Thegroom——ragsellercameintocourtdead—drunk：*
　　otherwitnesseswereprovedtobelostcharacters：cross—examinationelicitedthattheyhadreceivedmoney，andhadactuallyresidedtillthetimeoftrialatthecountryseatofLordGrantley。Thewholeevidencestoppedshortthreeyearsbeforetheactualperiodoftrial，astheydarednotcallanybutthesewitnesses。Thejurylistenedwithopenincredulityanddisgusttotheevidence，and，withoutrequiringtohearasinglewitnessforLordMelbourne，orleavingthejury—box，theyinstantlygavetheirverdictagainstMrNorton：averdictwhichwasreceivedwithcheerswhichtheJudgevainlyattemptedtosuppress。Theimpressiongenerallymadeonthepublicmind，IgivefromtheletterofMrDavidLeahytoMrPower，whosentittomyyoungerbrother：——
　　"AsIwaspresentduringthewholeexhibition，Icantakeituponmeasanimpartialspectatortosay，thatamoreinfamouscaseuponthepartoftheplaintiff，nevercamebeforeacourtofjustice。Alltheworld——whatevertheirpoliticsmaybe，orwhatevertheiropinionsaboutthediscretionofthebehaviourofalloreitherofthethreeprincipalparties，——mustacknowledgethattheprincipalwitnesseswereperjuredandsuborned。Ihavespokenwithalmosteverypersonpresent，andthereexistsaperfectunanimityonthispoint。Thejury，uponthecloseoftheplaintiff’scase，intimated，inamannerperfectlyintelligibletotheinitiated，thatitwasameresuperfluitytosetupanySeeAppendix。Page48
　　defence。TheyshewedthegreatestimpatienceduringtheAttorney—General’sspeech，andmadeseveralattemptstointerrupttheJudge’scharge；andatlast，whenitcametotheirownturntotakethebusinessinhand，theyexclaimedunanimously，withoutaquarterofaminute’sconsultationordeliberation，thattheyfoundfortheDefendant。
　　Thecasepresentedaltogetheracombinationofridiculousdriftlessfutility，withatrociousandincredibleperjury，whichcannot，Ithink，beparallelled（intheircombination）intheannalsofcriminaljurisprudence。"
　　Theprintedlawreportsofthedaygivetheresultthus：——
　　TheLearnedJudgesummedupatconsiderablelength，andtheJuryhavingturnedround，inamomenttheForemansaid，——"MyLord，weareallagreed——wefindfortheDefendant。"
　　Therewasaloudandgeneralburstofapplauseattheannouncementoftheverdict，whichwasinstantlycheckedbythecourt。
　　Thenewswascommunicatedoutside，andwasfollowedbyloudandgeneralcheeringfromtheanxiouscrowdsassembled。
　　Andinanotherpaper：——
　　TheLearnedJudgesummedupatsomelength。
　　TheJuryhavingturnedround，andconferredafewseconds，——theForemansaid，——"MyLord，weareagreed，——itismydutytosaythatourverdictisfortheDefendant。"
　　Theannouncementwasreceivedwithloudburstsofapplause；anexpressionoffeelingwhichwaspromptlyre—echoedbyshoutsfromthemobwithoutthedoors。Thetumulthavingbeenpartiallysuppressed，theLordChiefJusticesaid"hewassurprisedtohearaverdictreceivedinacourtofjusticeinsodisgracefulamanner。"
　　Thecourtwasthencleared。
　　Thatimpressionavailed——forLordMelbourne。Forhim，theordealwashappilyandtriumphantlyover；
　　thesympathyoffriends，theenthusiasmofthepublic，greetedhisacquittalfromthefalsechargewhichwastowreckhim。HecontinuedMinistertotheKing，andthedawnofanotherreignsawhimconfirmedinhisposition，withtheaddeddistinctionofseemingalmosttheguideandguardianoftheyouthfulSovereignwhowastoreceivefromhimherfirstinitiationintothecaresandtasksofgovernment。
　　Page49
　　Myhumblerdestinywasnotsoeasilysetright。Previoustothetrial，Ihadbeenstrenuouslyurged，bysomeofthetruestfriendsIhad，tobebeforehandwithMrNorton；and，knowingwhatmyhomehadbeen，toattempttodivorcehimwhilehewaspreparingtoaccuseme。Others，equallyanxiousformywelfare，earnestlycounselledtheexactcontrary：towait，——tohavepatience，——todependonthetruthbeingshownonthetrial，andmyjustificationbeingthencomplete。
　　ThecasebeingsubmittedtoDrLushington，headvisedthatIshouldremainpassive，andIdidso；soreagainstmywill。
　　Afterthetrialwasover，Iconsultedwhetheradivorce"byreasonofcruelty"mightnotbepleadedforme；andIlaidbeforemylawyersthemanyinstancesofviolence，injustice，andill—usage，ofwhichthetrialwasbutthecrowningexample。IwasthentoldthatnodivorceIcouldobtainwouldbreakmymarriage；thatIcouldnotpleadcrueltywhichIhadforgiven；thatbyreturningtoMrNortonIhad"condoned"allIcomplainedof。Ilearnt，too，theLAWastomychildren——thattherightwaswiththefather；thatneithermyinnocencenorhisguiltcouldalterit；thatnotevenhisgivingthemintothehandsofamistress，wouldgivemeanyclaimtotheircustody。
　　Theeldestwasbutsixyearsold，thesecondfour，theyoungesttwoandahalf，whenwewereparted。Iwrote，therefore，andpetitionedthefatherandhusbandinwhosepowerIwas，forleavetoseethem——forleavetokeepthem，untiltheywerealittleolder。MrNorton’sanswerwas，thatIshouldnothavethem；thatifIwantedtoseethem，Imighthaveaninterviewwiththematthechambersofhisattorney。Irefused，andwroteasfollowstomysolicitor，whohadconveyedhisdecisiontome：——
　　"Howeverbitteritmaybetome，Imustdeclineseeingmychildreninthemannerproposed。Isaynothingoftheharshness，theinhumanityoftellingmeImusteitherseethematthePage50
　　chambersofhissolicitor，ornotatall；butIsayitisnotDECENTthatthefatherofthosechildrenshouldforceme，theirmother，outoftheverytendernessIbearthem，tovisitthematthechambersoftheattorneywhocollectedtheevidence，examinedthewitnesses，andconductedtheproceedingsfortheintendeddivorce。Isayitisnotdecent——nay，thatevenifIwereguilty，itwouldnotbedecenttomakemesuchaproposal。
　　ButIaminnocent。——Ihavebeenpronouncedinnocentbyajuryofmycountrymen——I
　　havebeensolemnlyandpubliclydeclaredinnocentbythenoblemanagainstwhomthatill—advisedactionwasbrought。Whythen，aremychildrenkeptfromme？——fromme，whomeventheirownwitnessesprovedtobeacarefulanddevotedmother？MrNortonsays，theLawgiveshimmychildren。Iknowitdoes，buttheLawdoesnomore；itdoesnotcompelmetoenduremorethanseparationfromthem；andsoonerthanallowthemtoconnectmyvisitsintheirmemorywithsecrecyandshame，Iwouldsubmitneveragaintobeholdthemtilltheywereofanagetovisitmewithoutaskingpermissionofanyhumanbeing。"
　　MorethanonceMrNorton’sadvisershaveshownmorefeelingformethanmyhusbandhimself；andonthisoccasionhissolicitorwrote：——"MrNortonhasmadetheappointmenttoseethechildrenhere——Icannotbutregretit。"
　　Eventually，thechildrenwerepermittedtocometomybrother’shouse；MrNortonexpresslylimitingthetimeoftheirstaytoonehalf—hour，andsendingthemwithtwoofthewomenwhohadbeenwitnessesonthetrial，whostatedthattheir"orders"
　　weretoremainintheroomwithme。Iwasnotallowedtoseeevenmybabyoftwoyearsoldwithoutthese"witnesses。"
　　WhatIsufferedonmychildren’saccount，nonewilleverknowormeasure。"Theheartknowethitsownbitterness，"
　　andGodknewmine！Thedaysandnightsoftearsandanguish，thatgrewintothestruggleofyears——itisevennowPage51
　　apaintometolookbackupon：evennow，thehotagonyofresentmentandgriefrisesinmymind，whenIthinkoftheneedlesstyrannyIenduredinthisrespect。MrNortonheldmychildrenashostages；
　　hefeltthatwhilehehadthem，hestillhadapowerovermethatnothingcouldcontrol。Baffledinthematterofthetrialanddamages，hestillhadthepowertodomorethanpunish——totorture——thewifewhohadbeensoanxioustopartfromhim。Ineversawthem；Iseldomknewwheretheywere。Once，whenIwrotetoaskaftertheminillness，mylettertothenurse（whichcontainednosyllableofoffence，orbeyondthesubjectofmyinquiry）wasturnedinsideout，andfrankedbacktome。MissVaughanwasdead，andIappealedtomymother—in—law（withwhomIheardmyhusbandmeanttoplacethem），entreatinghertorefusetotakethem；whichshepromisedtodo，andheardmewithtearsofsympathy。Butmyhusband’ssister，LadyMenzies，decideddifferently：toher，onpaymentofsomuchahead，mythreechildrenwereconsigned；andremovedtoScotland，whereneithertheirfathernorIcouldbewiththem。There，withonewhomIknewtobehaughtyandintemperate，thosechildrenwereleft，whohadhithertobeensogentlyandtenderlytreated；andtheeldestofwhomwasdelicateinhealth，sensitiveindisposition，andjustrecoveringfromillness。Thefirststepshemadeintheireducation，wastoflogthisverychild（achildofsixyearsold）formerelyreceivingandreadingaletterfromme（IbeinginEnglandandheinScotland），to"impressonhismemory"
　　thathewasnottoreceivelettersfromme。Havingoccasiontocorrectonestillyounger，shestrippeditnaked，tiedittothebed—post，andchastiseditwithariding—whip。ShewasafitsisterandcolleaguetoMrNorton；andIhavelivedtoseethedaywhenherdisputesformoney，withherownsons，havecometoScotchlaw—pleading；asMrNortonhasbroughttoEnglishlaw—pleadingthelikedisputeswithus。
　　Theseboyshavingbeenthegleamofhappinessandcom—Page52
　　pensationinmyhome；itwasnottobesupposedthatIwouldgivethemupwithoutastruggle，becauseitwasso"writteninthebond"ofEnglishlaw。Ceaselessly，restlessly，perseveringly，Istrove；and，fortunatelyforme，othercasesofhardshiphadalreadydrawnattentiontothenecessityofsomereformonthissubject；especiallythecaseofaMrsGreenhill，inwhichSerjeantTalfourd（nowSirThomasNoonTalfourd）hadbeenprofessionallyconcerned。Anew"InfantCustodyBill"wasbroughtforwardbythelearnedSerjeant；andpassed，afterastruggleofthreeyears，byamajorityoffourtoone。Assoonasithadpassed，IpreparedaffidavitstolaybeforetheChancellor；andagainMrNortonnarrowlyescapedexposure。AmongthepersonsonwhomIdependedasawitnessofpastevents，wastheRightHon。
　　EdwardEllice。Whenhewasappliedtoforanaffidavit，hethoughtitamercifulwisdomtowarmMrNortonofwhathecouldprove，andtoendeavourtopreventtheraking—upofaffairswhichhadbeguntobeforgottenbythepublic。MrNortonansweredboldly：——
　　"PoliceCourt，Whitechapel，Nov。27，1841……"Ihavelonglookedtothethreatenedproceedingsastheonlymodeofobtainingasettlement，andofunmaskingtherepeatedunwarrantableandhithertounresistedattackswhichhavebeenperseveringlymadeonmycharacterforsomeyears。"
　　ButwhenhehadaninterviewwithMrEllice；andhadlearnedwhatthatfriendwasexpectedtoprove，hehastilyretracted；andsignifiedtomethroughhislawyersthatitwasunnecessaryformetopresentapetitiononaffidavit，asheyieldedthepoint，andwouldnotdefendhimself。