Astarte: a Fragment of Truth
Lady Byron to Augusta Leigh, 3 June 1816
Monday June 3rd 1816.
Before your Confinement I would not risk agitating you, but having the
satisfaction of knowing you are recovered, I will no longer conceal from yourself that there are
reasons founded on such circumstances in your conduct, as, (though thoroughly convinced they have
existed) I am most anxious to bury in silence, which indispensably impose on me the duty of limiting my intercourse with you—
I should more deeply lament this necessary consequence of causes,—(on the
supposition of which, whilst in any degree doubtful, it would have been unjust to act)—if your
feelings towards me could give me the power of doing you any good,—but you have not disguised your
resentment against those who have befriended me, and have countenanced the arts which have been
employed to injure me—Can I then longer believe
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| LADY BYRON AND MRS. LEIGH (I) |
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those professions of affection, and even of exclusive zeal for my welfare, which I have been most reluctant to mistrust?—And on this ground my conduct, if known, would be amply & obviously justified to
the world. I shall still not regret having loved and trusted you so entirely—May the blessing of a
merciful God be with you & those nearest you—I am truly interested in the welfare of your
children, and should your present unhappy dispositions be seriously changed, you will not then be
deceived in considering me as one who will afford every service and consolation of your most
faithful friend——
Sir Robert John Wilmot- Horton, third baronet (1784-1841)
Byron's cousin; he was MP for Newcastle under Lyme (1818-30), governor of Ceylon
(1831-37), and was Augusta Leigh's representative at the destruction of Byron's memoir; he
succeeded to his title in 1834.
Hon. Augusta Mary Leigh [née Byron] (1783-1851)
Byron's half-sister; the daughter of Amelia Darcy, Baroness Conyers, she married
Lieutenant-Colonel George Leigh on 17 August 1807.
