Page:Arabella (Second Edition - Volume 1).pdf/236

 *tage; and I think, I know enough to vindicate her from many cruel Aspersions.

Pray, Madam, returned Miss Glanville, will your Ladyship pretend to defend her scandalous Commerce with Mr. L?

I know not, Miss, said Arabella, why you call her Intercourse with that perjured Man by so unjust an Epithet. If Miss Groves be unchaste, so was the renowned Cleopatra, whose Marriage with Julius Cæsar is controverted to this Day.

And what Reasons, Madam, said Miss Glanville, have you for supposing, Miss Groves was married to Mr. L, since all the World knows to the contrary?

Very sufficient ones, said Arabella; since it is hardly possible to suppose, a young Lady of Miss Groves's Quality would stain the Lustre of her Descent by so shameful an Intrigue; and also, since there are Examples enough to be found of Persons, who suffered under the same unhappy Circumstances as herself; yet were perfectly innocent, as was that great Queen I have mentioned; who questionless, you, Sir, are sufficiently convinced, was married to that illustrious Conqueror; who, by betraying so great and so fair a Queen, in great measure tarnished the Glory of his Laurels—

Married, Madam! replied Sir George: Who presumes to say, that fair Queen was not married to that illustrious Conqueror?

Nay, you know, Sir, interrupted Arabella, many People did say, even while she was living, that she was not married; and have branded her Memory with infamous Calumnies, upon Account of the Son she had by Cæsar, the brave