Part 21 (1/2)
I am concerned to read in this same letter received this Morning the report of the illness of your friend Mrs. L.; and that of your young and protected companion Jane! and even that you had not yourself been well! I trust that the Almighty will restore them to Health as well as by His favor your Health may likewise be reestablished and secured.
I have been quite well! and am as strong and hearty as ever.
Believe me ever yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
Miss J. appends a word of explanation to this letter:--
”The Lady here referred to by the Duke is older than myself, therefore the Duke is in _that_ respect mistaken, never having seen her.”
WALMER CASTLE, Sept. 13, 1849.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I received your Letter dated Sat.u.r.day 8^th and this morning that of the 11^th in which you communicate to me the sad Intelligence of the loss which you had sustained in your friend Mrs. L.! I sincerely condole with you! She was a good and sincere friend of yours and I felt sincere respect and esteem for Her Character! You do not mention your young friend Jane; who was suffering also when you wrote before. I sincerely hope that she is better and progressing towards recovery as you could wis.h.!.+
Believe me My Dear Miss J.
Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
”I presume by the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 26th, that I made previous enquiries concerning some letters previously forwarded as he writes; 'I cannot now lay my hands on that letter but I must have received it. I think that you need not make yourself uneasy about any letter which you may address me.'”
The caustic tone common in the Duke's letters now reappears. Miss J.'s habit of enclosing to him letters she had written to others, with the request that he would read and return them, had long been a source of annoyance to him; and now his irritation breaks bonds.
WALMER CASTLE, October 22, 1849.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received this evening your Letter dated September 30^th which was Sunday, Inclosing in a colored cover, two Letters addressed to Miss Coutts which I return in the same cover according to your desire without loss of time.
I have not received a book, and considering the uncertainty of receiving a letter from you; which you have only to direct, stamp; and put into the Box at the Post Office; which it is not certain that you can do with precision! I don't recommend you to endeavour to send me a Book. I am happy to learn that you will see your sister!
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
”In the Duke's next letter, dated Nov. 15th, he writes--'I have no recollection of having failed to write an answer to any letter of which you desired to receive an acknowledgment.
”'I receive thousands of letters, a vast proportion of which I am under the necessity of answering, and I am of course desirous of avoiding to write more than is necessary; particularly to a person so particular as you are in respect to the forms and contents of the letter addressed to you.'
”The Duke's next letter is evidently an angry one. It is dated Nov.
21st, wherein he writes--'I have received your letter of the 17th Inst. in which you have enclosed certain letters which you have written to Sir Robert Peel which I return! I am not the Post Man!
nor the Secretary of Sir Robert Peel nor your Secretary!'”
Miss J. retained a copy of her answer to the last.