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。