Part 23 (2/2)

Miss J. does not give a copy of her next letter to the Duke, but she remarks that it consisted princ.i.p.ally of observations upon complete reliance on G.o.d, and disregard of earthly means; taking as her text, ”Seek FIRST the Kingdom of G.o.d and HIS righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Duke's answer does not savor of things spiritual:--

LONDON, July 23, 1850.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I am very much concerned to observe from your last letter that notwithstanding that you feel that you require my Worldly a.s.sistance; and are willing to accept and receive the same, you will not state to me the mode in which I am to render the a.s.sistance required! I know that you have a Banker in London!

Why don't you then let me know His Name? or state in whatever mode of those stated by me you would wish to receive what I should send. You may rely upon it that unless precautions are taken you will not receive the money sent! It will fall into the hands of thieves!

Ever Yours most faithfully

WELLINGTON.

Miss J. writes:--

”In my reply to the Duke I a.s.sured him that I had no Banker in London to my knowledge, never having had to do more than occasionally receive my _Dividends_, when my Guardian transacted business, which generally speaking he forwarded by letter. But in order to give the Duke a clear idea how things stood, I promised to enclose two letters for his perusal, one from my Guardian _before_ his death and the other from his wife _after_ it! Alas! by doing this I brought upon myself more trouble and sorrow than can ever be forgotten, through the untoward, unlooked for circ.u.mstances that attended them. These I would willingly omit if faithfulness to G.o.d and the world did not call upon me to proceed regularly as occurrences took place, however torn and wounded my mind may be!...

I feel even now as I write that I wonder at myself for ever addressing the Duke again. However, I was then laid upon a bed of sickness and apparently approaching death, therefore it is probable that the eternal welfare of one to whom I had dedicated myself for so many years increased in importance in my estimation, if this were possible. Nor can I ever account for such devoted feelings to any individual beyond concluding that G.o.d had so decreed it.

”Of course I lost no time in sending the letters promised and required, but they miscarried.”

Hearing nothing from the Duke, Miss J. wrote again:--

”July 23, 1850.

”As I cannot think it possible, My Dear Duke, that you _could_ treat me with so much cruelty in my present state as to have received two such letters as my last without noticing them, I write to enquire whether you have heard from me twice since I heard from you. I entreated you not to keep my mind in suspense, as I was not in a State to bear it.

”I have a Physician twice a week, and yesterday, on finding my pulse in such a State he seemed very dissatisfied, saying if my mind were not kept free from all anxiety it will kill me.

Therefore, My Dear Duke, you surely cannot hear this without using every means in your power to relieve it.

”You ask me in your Letter of the 12^th Inst. in what way I should like you to acquiesce with my wishes? or through what Bank? I answered that I should be guided entirely by your advice, yet not a word did I receive in your next on the subject, nor from that time to this have you referred to it. This to me is quite incomprehensible, as you in the same letter imply it is your intention that I shall have all that is necessary. I cannot help adding I consider this the least _G.o.d_ would have me expect from _Your_ hands, My dearest Duke, under present trying circ.u.mstances, feeling towards you as HE knows I have done so many years such disinterestedness dedication and affection.”

The Duke's next letters show his irritation.

LONDON, July 25, 1850.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received your Letter of the 24^th that is yesterday, but not the one which you state in that letter that you had written to me yesterday--it is on Tuesday--containing _two enclosures_ being a letter from your Guardian and another from his Wife.

These letters when forwarded will enable me to judge of what it is you require! and the mode in which I am to send you what you require!

It is indeed very difficult to supply the daily wants of those who will not state what they are; or adopt any means of receiving what she requires!

However I shall be able to form a judgment when I shall receive the letters you received from Mr. & Mrs. ----

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