LORD  BYRON  and  his  TIMES
Byron
Documents Biography Criticism
Astarte: a Fragment of Truth
Theresa Villiers to Lady Byron, 12 September 1816
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Introduction
Preface
Contents
I. Byron Characteristics
II. Three Stages of Lord Byron’s Life
III. Manfred
IV. Correspondence of Augusta Byron
V. Anne Isabella Byron
VI. Lady Byron’s Policy of Silence
VII. Informers and Defamers
VIII. “When We Dead Awake”
IX. Lady Byron and Mrs. Leigh (I)
X. Lady Byron and Mrs. Leigh (II)
XI. Byron and Augusta
Notes by the Editor
Appendix
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September 12th 1816.
My dear Ly. B.—

I have kept your servant unmercifully but unavoidably—

I thought I had acted2 better than it seems I have done—yet perhaps it may turn out for the best—You ask my opinion & I hardly know what to say—for this is a new point of view—but if you can (I doubt the possibility) induce her to confide in me it would be very advisable—perhaps the only way of effecting this would be by offering to speak to me yourself, so that she should have no confessions to make—I think I should on my part only make the condition of being ask’d no questions as to the sources of my information, tho’ I would assure

1 Underlined twice.

2 Underlined twice.

254
LADY BYRON AND MRS LEIGH (II)
her, & with truth, that it came from quarters unconnected with you, and originating with him—you of course know I mean Lady G.1 I can also with truth say that the reason of my being told was kindness to her to prevent my injuring her by over zeal—She never must know of any communication of yours—If she wd. consent to this it might be of use in your absence—perhaps—as she suspects my knowledge—otherwise it has always struck me that her knowing it was known by people who continued their affection for her might diminish her horror of the crime, wh. is already not too great—

If you can determine her to this measure I will be guided entirely by you as to my management of her—I will not see her to-day before I see you & will be with you before 4—I think Aunt S.2 might be stopped by the mention of other facts than those wh. concern A—— but more of this when we meet—

Yrs ever & most affectionately
[Finishes at edge of paper.]