His grace's conducting the quarrel, so as to save the reputation of
his duchess, by not so much as having her name called in question, was
at once prudent, and tender; for whether a lady is guilty or no, if
the least suspicion is once raised, there are detractors enough in
the world ready to fix the stain upon her. The Scots lord deserved the
severest treatment, for living in strict friendship with two persons
of quality, and then with an insidious cruelty endeavouring to sow
the seeds of eternal discord between them, and all to gratify a little
vanity: Than such a conduct nothing can be more reproachable.

Not long after this adventure, a whim seized the duke of going into
a convent, in order to prepare for Easter; and while he was there, he
talked with so much force and energy upon all points of religion, that
the pious fathers beheld him with admiration. Mankind were for some
time in suspense, what would be the issue of this new course of life;
but he soon put an end to their speculations by appearing again in
the world, and running headlong into as wild courses of vice and
extravagance, as he had ever before done. He had for a companion, a
gentleman for whom he entertained a very high esteem; but one who
was as much an enemy as possible to such a licentious behaviour. In
another situation, our noble author would have found it a happiness
to be constantly attended by a person of his honour, probity, and good
sense; but the duke's strange and unaccountable conduct, rendered
the best endeavours to serve him ineffectual. In a letter which that
gentleman wrote to a friend in London, he concludes with a melancholy
representation of the duke's present circumstances;

----'However, notwithstanding what I have suffered, and what my
brother 'madman' has done to undo himself, and every body who was so