In
particular, it is alleged that we rarely forgive, and never
forget, any injuries received--that we make an idol of our
resentment, as poor Lady Constance did of her grief, and are
addicted, as Burns says, to 'nursing our wrath to keep it warm.'
Lady Bothwell was not without this feeling; and, I believe,
nothing whatever, scarce the restoration of the Stewart line,
could have happened so delicious to her feelings as an
opportunity of being revenged on Sir Philip Forester for the deep
and double injury which had deprived her of a sister and of a
brother. But nothing of him was heard or known till many a year
had passed away.
"At length--it was on a Fastern's E'en (Shrovetide) assembly, at
which the whole fashion of Edinburgh attended, full and frequent,
and when Lady Bothwell had a seat amongst the lady patronesses,
that one of the attendants on the company whispered into her ear
that a gentleman wished to speak with her in private.
"'In private? and in an assembly room?--he must be mad. Tell
him to call upon me to-morrow morning.'
"'I said so, my lady,' answered the man, 'but he desired me to
give you this paper.'
"She undid the billet, which was curiously folded and sealed. It
only bore the words, 'ON BUSINESS OF LIFE AND DEATH,' written in
a hand which she had never seen before.
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