'I received yesterday your answer, dated March 10. My offer was an
honest one, and surely could only be construed as such even by the
most malignant casuistry. I could answer you, but it is too late, and
it is not worth while. To the mysterious menace of the last sentence,
whatever its import may be--and I cannot pretend to unriddle it--I
could hardly be very sensible even if I understood it, as, before it
can take place, I shall be where "nothing can touch him further." . .
. I advise you, however, to anticipate the period of your intention,
for, be assured, no power of figures can avail beyond the present; and
if it could, I would answer with the Florentine:--

'"Ed io, che posto son con loro in croce
. . . . . e certo
La fiera moglie, piu ch'altro, mi nuoce." {44}

'BYRON.

'To Lady Byron.'

Two things are very evident in this correspondence: Lady Byron intimates
that, if he publishes his story, some _consequences_ must follow which
she shall regret.

Lord Byron receives this as a threat, and says he doesn't understand it.
But directly after he says, 'Before IT can take place, I shall be,' etc.

The intimation is quite clear. He _does_ understand what the
consequences alluded to are. They are evidently that Lady Byron will
speak out and tell her story. He says she cannot do this till _after he
is dead_, and then he shall not care. In allusion to her accuracy as to