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room； looking nearly as you behold it； but with certain marks
of bachelor occupancy； and hastened to pour out a glass of
wine； which he insisted on my drinking。 As soon as I could
find my voice； 'In God's name；' I cried； 'where am I？'
He told me I was in his house； where I was very welcome； and
had no more urgent business than to rest myself and recover
my spirits。 As he spoke he offered me another glass of wine；
of which； indeed； I stood in great want； for I was faint； and
inclined to be hysterical。 Then he sat down beside the fire；
lit another cigar； and for some time observed me curiously in
silence。
'And now；' said he； 'that you have somewhat restored
yourself； will you be kind enough to tell me in what sort of
crime I have become a partner？ Are you murderer； smuggler；
thief； or only the harmless and domestic moonlight flitter？'
I had been already shocked by his lighting a cigar without
permission； for I had not forgotten the one he threw away on
our first meeting； and now； at these explicit insults； I
resolved at once to reconquer his esteem。 The judgment of
the world I have consistently despised； but I had already
begun to set a certain value on the good opinion of my
entertainer。 Beginning with a note of pathos； but soon
brightening into my habitual vivacity and humour； I rapidly
narrated the circumstances of my birth； my flight； and
subsequent misfortunes。 He heard me to an end in silence；
gravely smoking。 'Miss Fanshawe；' said he； when I had done；
'you are a very comical and most enchanting creature； and I
can see nothing for it but that I should return to…morrow
morning and satisfy your landlady's demands。'
'You strangely misinterpret my confidence；' was my reply；
'and if you had at all appreciated my character； you would
understand that I can take no money at your hands。'
'Your landlady will doubtless not be so particular；' he
returned； 'nor do I at all despair of persuading even your
unconquerable self。 I desire you to examine me with critical
indulgence。 My name is Henry Luxmore； Lord Southwark's
second son。 I possess nine thousand a year； the house in
which we are now sitting； and seven others in the best
neighbourhoods in town。 I do not believe I am repulsive to
the eye； and as for my character； you have seen me under
trial。 I think you simply the most original of created
beings； I need not tell you what you know very well； that you
are ravishingly pretty； and I have nothing more to add；
except that； foolish as it may appear； I am already head over
heels in love with you。'
'Sir；' said I； 'I am prepared to be misjudged； but while I
continue to accept your hospitality that fact alone should be
enough to protect me from insult。'
'Pardon me；' said he： 'I offer you marriage。' And leaning
back in his chair he replaced his cigar between his lips。
I own I was confounded by an offer； not only so unprepared；
but couched in terms so singular。 But he knew very well how
to obtain his purposes； for he was not only handsome in
person； but his very coolness had a charm； and to make a long
story short； a fortnight later I became the wife of the
Honourable Henry Luxmore。
For nearly twenty years I now led a life of almost perfect
quiet。 My Henry had his weaknesses； I was twice driven to
flee from his roof； but not for long； for though he was
easily over…excited； his nature was placable below the
surface； and with all his faults； I loved him tenderly。 At
last he was taken from me； and such is the power of self…
deception； and so strange are the whims of the dying； he
actually assured me； with his latest breath； that he forgave
the violence of my temper！
There was but one pledge of the marriage； my daughter Clara。
She had； indeed； inherited a shadow of her father's failing；
but in all things else； unless my partial eyes deceived me；
she derived her qualities from me； and might be called my
moral image。 On my side； whatever else I may have done
amiss； as a mother I was above reproach。 Here； then； was
surely every promise for the future； here； at last； was a
relation in which I might hope to taste repose。 But it was
not to be。 You will hardly credit me when I inform you that
she ran away from home； yet such was the case。 Some whim
about oppressed nationalities … Ireland； Poland； and the like
… has turned her brain； and if you should anywhere encounter
a young lady （I must say； of remarkable attractions）
answering to the name of Luxmore； Lake； or Fonblanque （for I
am told she uses these indifferently； as well as many
others）； tell her； from me； that I forgive her cruelty； and
though I will never more behold her face； I am at any time
prepared to make her a liberal allowance。
On the death of Mr。 Luxmore； I sought oblivion in the details
of business。 I believe I have mentioned that seven mansions；
besides this； formed part of Mr。 Luxmore's property： I have
found them seven white elephants。 The greed of tenants； the
dishonesty of solicitors； and the incapacity that sits upon
the bench； have combined together to make these houses the
burthen of my life。 I had no sooner； indeed； begun to look
into these matters for myself； than I discovered so many
injustices and met with so much studied incivility； that I
was plunged into a long series of lawsuits； some of which are
pending to this day。 You must have heard my name already； I
am the Mrs。 Luxmore of the Law Reports： a strange destiny；
indeed； for one born with an almost cowardly desire for
peace！ But I am of the stamp of those who； when they have
once begun a task； will rather die than leave their duty
unfulfilled。 I have met with every obstacle： insolence and
ingratitude from my own lawyers； in my adversaries； that
fault of obstinacy which is to me perhaps the most
distasteful in the calendar； from the bench； civility indeed
… always； I must allow； civility … but never a spark of
independence； never that knowledge of the law and love of
justice which we have a right to look for in a judge； the
most august of human officers。 And still； against all these
odds； I have undissuadably persevered。
It was after the loss of one of my innumerable cases （a
subject on which I will not dwell） that it occurred to me to
make a melancholy pilgrimage to my various houses。 Four were
at that time tenantless and closed； like pillars of salt；
commemorating the corruption of the age and the decline of
private virtue。 Three were occupied by persons who had
wearied me by every conceivable unjust demand and legal
subterfuge … persons whom； at that very hour； I was moving
heaven and earth to turn into the street。 This was perhaps
the sadder spectacle of the two； and my heart grew hot within
me to behold them occupying； in my very teeth； and with an
insolent ostentation； these handsome structures which were as
much mine as the flesh upon my body。
One more house remained for me to visit； that in which we now
are。 I had let it （for at that period I lodged in a hotel；
the life that I have always preferred） to a Colonel
Geraldine； a g