A DECENT STORY.
THE subjoined narrative is a fine example of the manner in which a story may be dressed up so as to elude the moral judgment to the utmost possible degree. A lady, dissatisfied with her husband, throws herself on the protection of another man. The husband claims her; and she, observing the person of her second choice to waver, desires him to be firm, when he declares his intention to protect her if required. Yet one of the best of possible instruc- tors affirms that the conduct of the gentleman so acting redounds throughout very much to his credit ; by which we learn, that it is a social obligation to take another man's wife upon sufficiently earnest invitation from the lady. We have used the words pro- tect, and protection, in this case, not because they are the right ones, but as the established terms on such occasions. Protect is not the word employed in Scripture : it is not said that Poti- phar's wife required Joseph's protection, nor did it seem to Joseph that he was bound to accept the charge. But Joseph has not been a popular, and much less a fashionable example ; and Mr. WOOD, when pressed, does not appear from the representation to have thought it proper to resolve on leaving his garment behind him. The gentleman may be wronged in the account, but we take it as we find it ; and a very disgraceful gloss it is. To give the finish to the affair, Colonel BERKELEY figures as moral intercessor.
"LORD W. LENNOX AND MISS PATON.
"It is impossible that the public should not take a deep interest in the fortunes of so great a favourite as Miss Paton. The reports lately circulated of her final separation from her husband, Lord William Lennox, have naturally led to anxious inquiries as to the cause. It is understood that the parties have lived unhappily_together for a consider- able period. In these matters third parties can be very inadequate judges, because much of which the knowledge may be of great import- ance to allow a correct judgment to be formed, cannot easily be commu- nicated. It is understood, however, that Miss Paton complains generally of long-continued harsh treatment and neglect. As Mr. Wood has been connected by report with separation, we believe we may say that the con' duct of that gentleman throughout is spoken of as redounding very much to his credit. Mr. W. acting in the same entertainments with Miss P., was naturally on terms of intimacy with her, and was a not unfre- quent guest at Lord William's table. Mr. Wood, as all the world knows, is a handsome man, and he is besides said to be a general fa- vourite from his amiable qualities. A lady who conceives herself neg- lected is not likely to be the last person to perceive merits such as we have alluded to, where opportunity is allowed, and it is understood that Miss P. cherished a warm regard for Mr. . Wood. It is not, however, even insinuated that he endeavoured to gain her affections by any culpable attentions. On the night of Wednesday week, when Lord W. Lennox was at the races of St. Albans with a well-known Noble Lord, his friend, Miss P. left Lord W.'s farm, near Westend, taking with her neither jewels nor clothes be- yond those on her person, and claimed the protection of Mr. Wood. Under such embarrassing circumstances, Mr. Wood had a difficult part to play. He immediately procured apartments for her in which she could be secure from intrusion, but took especial care that his conduct should not be open to misconstruction, by having constantly third parties present at any interviews with Miss P. When intelligence of the affair reached Lord W. L., he naturally repaired to Mr. Wood's, who, in the frankest manner, offered to put his Lordship in possession of all the letters he had received from Miss Paton. The Lady was induced to perform in Cinderella on Saturday night at Covent Garden, on Mr. Bartley (the manager) undertaking to protect her to the Theatre and back to her apartments. At the close of the performance we understand a scene of rather an agitating kind took place in Mr. CharlesKemble's room Lord W. L. was accompanied by Colonel Berkeley and several other friends. Lord W. L. presented Miss P. with her jewels, and expressed great anxiety that she should return to him. Colonel Berkeley, with much good sense, appealed to Mr. Wood's feelings—represented to him the injury which. Miss P. would suffer from an irretrievable step, and urged him to pause in time when the consequences might be so very serious. Mr. W. was greatly agitated, and it is understood that Miss P. exclaimed, on seeing this, ` Wood, be firm.' Appealed to in this manner, Mr. W. said he would protect her, if his protection should be required. On its being announced that Lord W. L. would avail himself of his rights as a husband to take her home, Miss P. reminded Mr. Bartley of the assurance under which she had left her apartment to act. However, it was at length arranged that Miss P. should return to the liotel in Conduit Street, where she had lodged with Lord W. L., on an assurance being given to her, that she should not be in the least interfered with.
"Such is the state in which things now are. The hope is not renounced by the friends of the parties, that matters may yet be arranged."—Morning Chronicle, May 27.
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