Page:Journal of Conversations with Lord Byron.pdf/90

 she wills it. Of all that coterie," said Byron," Madame de -, after Lady - was the best; at least I thought so, for these two ladies were the only ones who ventured to protect me when all London was crying out against me on the separation, and they behaved courageously and kindly; indeed Madame de - defended me when few dared to do so, and I have always remembered it. Poor dear Lady - ! does she still retain her beautiful cream-colored complexion and raven hair? I used to long to tell her that she spoiled her looks by her excessive animation; for eyes, tongue, head, and arms were all in movement at once, and were only relieved from their active service by want of respiration. I shall never forget when she once complained to me of the fatigue of literary occupations; and I, in terror, expected her ladyship to propose reading to me an epic poem, tragedy, or at least a novel of her composition, when lo! she displayed to me a very richly-bound album, half filled with printed extracts cut out of newspapers and magazines, which she had selected and pasted in the book; and I (happy at being let off so easily) sincerely agreed with her that literature was very tiresome. I understand that she has now advanced with the 'march of intellect,' and got an album filled with MS. poetry, to which all of us,