The story of Pope's quarrel with her is told in the following pages.

Walpole, it has been suggested, disliked her much because she had championed his father's mistress, Molly Skerritt, against the mother to whom he was devoted.

Pope, of course, knew her well; but Walpole, who was twenty-eight years her junior, only met her in her late middle age.

Walpole's prejudice was so great what when Lady Mary said, "People wish their enemies dead--but I do not.

I say, give them the gout, give them the stone," he reported it solemnly.
Of course, it is not to be assumed that Lady Mary had not her full share of malice--she was undoubtedly well equipped with that useful quality--and she did not turn the other cheek when she was assailed.