IfweweretogiveafullaccountofherproceedingsduringacoupleofyearsthatfollowedaftertheCurzonStreetcatastrophe，theremightbesomereasonforpeopletosaythisbookwasimproper。Theactionsofveryvain，heartless，pleasure-seekingpeopleareveryoftenimproperasaremanyofyours，myfriendwiththegravefaceandspotlessreputation——butthatismerelybytheway；andwhatarethoseofawomanwithoutfaith——orlove——orcharacter？AndIaminclinedtothinkthattherewasaperiodinMrsBecky’slifewhenshewasseized，notbyremorse，butbyakindofdespair，andabsolutelyneglectedherpersonanddidnotevencareforherreputation。
Thisabattementanddegradationdidnottakeplaceallatonce；itwasbroughtaboutbydegrees，afterhercalamity，andaftermanystrugglestokeepup——asamanwhogoesoverboardhangsontoasparwhilstanyhopeisleft，andthenflingsitawayandgoesdown，whenhefindsthatstrugglingisinvain。
ShelingeredaboutLondonwhilstherhusbandwasmakingpreparationsforhisdeparturetohisseatofgovernment，anditisbelievedmademorethanoneattempttoseeherbrother-in-law，SirPittCrawley，andtoworkuponhisfeelings，whichshehadalmostenlistedinherfavour。AsSirPittandMr。WenhamwerewalkingdowntotheHouseofCommons，thelatterspiedMrs。Rawdoninablackveil，andlurkingnearthepalaceofthelegislature。ShesneakedawaywhenhereyesmetthoseofWenham，andindeedneversucceededinherdesignsupontheBaronet。
ProbablyLadyJaneinterposed。Ihaveheardthatshequiteastonishedherhusbandbythespiritwhichsheexhibitedinthisquarrel，andherdeterminationtodisownMrs。Becky。Ofherownmovement，sheinvitedRawdontocomeandstopinGauntStreetuntilhisdepartureforCoventryIsland，knowingthatwithhimforaguardMrs。
Beckywouldnottrytoforceherdoor；andshelookedcuriouslyatthesuperscriptionsofalltheletterswhicharrivedforSirPitt，lestheandhissister-in-lawshouldbecorresponding。NotbutthatRebeccacouldhavewrittenhadsheamind，butshedidnottrytoseeortowritetoPittathisownhouse，andafteroneortwoattemptsconsentedtohisdemandthatthecorrespondenceregardingherconjugaldifferencesshouldbecarriedonbylawyersonly。