Count Valeria had appointed one of this order of Cicisbei to attend me, but so far was he from having any private intercourse or intimacy with me, that I detested him, as I was almost constantly pestered with his company, as well at home as abroad, and although he had never made any attempt on my honour, nor ever declared any passion for me, except the usual compliments of gallantry, which the nature of the office authorizes; yet I could perceive, that he entertained some thoughts of that nature, and my youth, no doubt, inflamed and flattered his hopes of success. This Cicisbeo of mine was a young nobleman of distinction, and the only son of one of the greatest senators, of the family of Cantaria, not ungenteel in his person, but haughty, passionate, and revengeful; and as he attended me at the ball, seemed very uneasy at the intimacy which appeared between me and Lord Kingsborough; and as he frequently dicoursed in English, which Cantaria did not understand, his jealousy construed every word that passed, into a declaration of love, or a private assignation. And as I observed before, that his consant attendance on me was extremely disagreeable, I will own to you, that I took a particular pleasure in mortifying him, and for that reason indulged several little airs and compliments to Lord Kingsborough, which I should not otherwise have done, for although, I believe, that dangerous companion had even then made some impression on my heart, I did not know it, or suspect my falling virtue; and I considered the pleasure, which I took in his company and conversation, as proceeding only from the high sallies of wit and humour, which perpetually flowed from him, and with which every other person seemed as much delighted as myself.

            "Having stayed at the masquerade till five in the morning, I was, as usual, attended home by Cantaria, who hinted, in presence of my husband, that he believed I had fallen in love with the agreeable English Lord, from the particular compliments which I paid him, and although he mentioned it a jocular manner, and it was received as such by Count Valeria, I could easily discern that he spoke it with a malicious design, and to punish me for the uneasiness I had given him at the ball, but my husband's presence prevented my replying to him, as I should have done at that juncture.

            "The next night I was at the opera; and as soon as Lord Kingsborough came into the house, I could observe him looking through the boxes very attentively to discover me. I made him a signal with my fan to come into my box. This put Cantaria, who was with me, out of all patience; and as soon as Lord Kingsborough approached, he withdrew, to my great satisfaction. His displeasure at Lord Kingsborough's entrance was so conspicuous, that his Lordship took notice of it, and asked me the reason, which I incautiously, and, I am sorry to say, very impudently told him. I do not know whether Lord Kingsborough then put that construction upon this information, which men of gallantry and intrigue generally do on intimations of the like nature; or whether he came designedly, or prepared, to make a formal declaration of his passion for me, but we had not been half an hour together in the box, when he convinced me, that I had engaged my heart but too much in his favour, and that he was a most enterprising and artful seducer. He represented to me the injury done to my honour by placing Cantaria as a watch on my actions; the absurdity of being under the direction of a person of so mean a character; the inequality of my husband's years, and the custom of the ladies of quality; with many other sophistical arguments, which entirely subdued my weak understanding; and pressed me to a private interview with so much ardour, that unfortunately for me, I consented to it; and the next day sent one of my women to him, to concert measures for our meeting. This artful woman I found perfectly experienced and accomplished in the business of intrigue, and as Lord Kingsborough was as bountiful, as he was ingenious and enterprising, my confidant returned to me in raptures, and with the plan settled for our assignation that very night, in lodgings which they had taken for the purpose, in a retired genteel part of the city. We accordingly met at this fatal place, and from that moment commenced my misfortunes."

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