This silenced his complaints; but whilst he was endeavouring to surmount these obstacles, still wondering how it was possible that two persons who were so well disposed to each other, and who were agreed to make each other happy, could not put their designs in execution, accident discovered an unexpected adventure, which left him no room to doubt, either of the happiness of his rival, or of the perfidy of his mistress.

Misfortunes often fall light when most feared; and frequently prove heaviest when merited, and when least suspected.  Hamilton was in the middle of the most tender and passionate letter he had ever written to Lady Chesterfield, when her husband came to announce to him the particulars of this last discovery:  he came so suddenly upon him, that he had only just time to conceal his amorous epistle among his other papers.  His heart and mind were still so full of what he was writing to his cousin, that her husband’s complaints against her, at first, were scarce attended to; besides, in his opinion, he had come in the most unfortunate moment on all accounts.

He was, however, obliged to listen to him, and he soon entertained quite different sentiments:  he appeared almost petrified with astonishment, while the earl was relating to him circumstances of such an extravagant indiscretion, as seemed to him quite incredible, notwithstanding the particulars of the fact.  “You have reason to be surprised at it,” said my lord, concluding his story; “but if you doubt the truth of what I tell you, it will be easy for you to find evidence that will convince you; for the scene of their tender familiarities was no less public than the room where the queen plays at cards, which while her majesty was at play, was, God knows, pretty well crowded.  Lady Denham was the first who discovered what they thought would pass unperceived in the crowd; and you may very well judge hew secret she would keep such a circumstance.  The truth is, she addressed herself to me first of all, as I entered the room, to tell me that I should give my wife a little advice, as other people might take notice of what I might see myself, if I pleased.

“Your cousin was at play, as I before told you:  the duke was sitting next to her:  I know not what was become of his hand; but I am sure that no one could see his arm below the elbow:  I was standing behind them, just in the place that Lady Denham had quitted:  the duke turning round perceived me, and was so much disturbed at my presence, that he almost undressed my lady in pulling away his hand.  I know not whether they perceived that they were discovered; but of this I am convinced, that Lady Denham will take care that everybody shall know it.  I must confess to you, that my embarrassment is so great, that I cannot find words to express what I now feel:  I should not hesitate one moment what course to take, if I might be allowed to show my resentment against the person who has wronged me.  As for her, I