From that moment all Lady Byron’s wiles were employed to extract a confession from Augusta Leigh, which would have gone far to justify Lady Byron’s conduct in leaving her husband. Soon after this momentous interview with Dr. Lushington, an ugly rumour was spread about town affecting Mrs. Leigh’s character.
Lord Lovelace says:
‘When Augusta’s friends vehemently and indignantly resented such a calumny, they were met with the argument that Lady Byron’s refusal to assign a reason for her separation confirmed the report, and that no one but Augusta could deny it with any effect.’
This, by the nature of her agreement with Byron, was impossible, and Mrs. Clermont’s treachery held her in a vice.
During January and February, 1816, Lady Byron, who strongly suspected Mrs. Leigh’s conduct to have been disloyal to herself, wrote the most affectionate letters to that lady.
‘Kirkby Mallory.
‘My dearest A.,
‘It is my great comfort that you are in Piccadilly.’
‘Kirkby Mallory,
‘January 23, 1816.
‘Dearest A.,