I believe nobody ever had such a _melange_ before." The unsatisfactory situation, apparently, might have continued indefinitely, for, even if Montagu had been more pressing, Lady Mary, in spite of her independent attitude, was most reluctant, indeed, almost determined, not to marry without her father's consent.
In the early summer of 1712, however, Lord Dorchester created a crisis.
Thinking, perhaps, that his daughter might one day get out of hand and, in despair, defy him, he decided to find her a husband other than Montagu.

At first, from a sense of weariness and from filial duty, Lady Mary inclined to obey the parental injunction--to her father's great delight.

All the preparations for the wedding were put in train--then, ultimately, Lady Mary declared that she could not and would not go through with it on any terms.

Who the bridegroom was she does not mention, but, in a manner somewhat involved, she in a letter in July, 1912, confided the whole story to Montagu.
"I am going to write you a plain long letter.

What I have already told you is nothing but the truth.