The scheme was put in practice, and succeeded to
the full extent of the projector's wishes; but the affair, which made
considerable noise at the time, and was the subject of some official
remonstrances, had nearly ended in a more serious manner. The brother of
the lady was an officer in the army, and both the descendants of a poor
but ancient family; the indignity offered to his name, and the seduction
of his sister, called forth the retributive feelings of a just revenge;
he sought out the offender, challenged him, but gave him the option of
redeeming his sister's honour and his own by marriage. Alas! that
was impossible; the earl was already engaged. A meeting took place,
~39~~when, reflection and good sense having recovered their influence
over the mind of the dissipated lover, he offered every atonement in his
power, professed a most unlimited regard for the lady, suggested that
his destruction would leave her, in her then peculiar state, exposed to
indigence, proposed to protect her, and settle an annuity of two hundred
pounds per annum upon her for her life; and thus circumstanced the
brother acceded, and the affair was, by this interposition of the
seconds, amicably arranged. There are those yet living who remember the
fair _limonadiere_ first coming to this country, and they bear testimony
to her superior attractions.
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