Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/112

 sense, in my mind. I recollect being once at a party with the Duchess of Rutland, and a man of some note in the world stopped me just as we entered the room. 'Lady Hester,' said he, 'I am anxious to assure you of my entire devotion to Mr. Pitt:' so far he got on well. 'I had always—hem—if you—hem—I do assure you, Lady Hester, I have the sincerest regard—hem—G—d d—n me, Lady Hester, there is not a man for whom—hem—I esteem him beyond measure, and, G—d d—n me—hem—if I were asked—hem—I do assure you, Lady Hester—hem:' and here the poor man, who could not put two ideas together, coming to a stand-still, the Duchess of Rutland, to relieve his embarrassment, helped him out by saying, 'Lady Hester is perfectly convinced of your sincere attachment to Mr. Pitt’s interests.' He had a beautiful amber cane, doctor, worth a hundred guineas, that he had sent for from Russia."

November 16.—Lady Hester Stanhope’s features had a very pallid and almost a ghastly look. The fits of oppression on her lungs grew more frequent, when, from a lying posture, she would start suddenly up in bed and gasp for breath. As she had not been beyond the precincts of her house for some years, I suggested the increased necessity of her getting a little fresh air, by going into her garden at least every day. She said, 'I will do as you desire, and if you will ride