She made a point of never seeing him except in the presence of a third person, generally her mother, who lived with her. Lady Derby was soon engrossed in a violent flirtation with the Duke of Dorset. Even the good-natured earl got out of patience with her, and divorce proceedings were threatened. They fell through from want of evidence, but a separation, by mutual consent, was arranged. No blame could be attached to Miss Farren who went on zealously with her profession. She had the support and friendship of many aristocratic leaders of society—the Duchess of Leinster, Lady Cecilia Johnson and Lady Dorothea Thomson, all introduced to her by Lord Derby. She was now at the full tide of success and her appearance is thus described:—"Her figure is considerably above the middle height and is of that slight texture which requires the use of full and flowing drapery. Her face, though not strictly beautiful, is animated and prepossessing; her eye, blue and penetrating, is a powerful feature when she chooses to employ it on the public, and either flashes with spirit or melts with softness; her voice is refined and feminine and her smile fascinates the heart, as her form delights the eye." Colman trusted her with the part of Rosina in "The Spanish Barber," and admirers flocked round her in crowds. Among them was Charles James Fox, then the hope of the Whig party and a prominent figure in society. His
